23 June,2021 08:15 AM IST | St Petersburg | AFP
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates his goal against Finland during the UEFA Euro encounter at St Petersburg on Monday. Pic/AFP
Belgium scored two late goals to see off a valiant Finland 2-0 on Monday, pushing their opponents to the brink of a group-stage exit from Euro and sending Denmark through to the Last 16.
Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky's 74th-minute own goal and Romelu Lukaku's third strike of the tournament ensured Roberto Martinez's Belgium finished top of Group B. The World No. 1 side will face a third-placed team in the next round on Sunday in Seville. "Romelu is our not-so-secret weapon," Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said.
"When he's in the box, I know exactly where he is, I know exactly where to find him. It becomes difficult for defender to get in front of him - he's huge," De Bruyne added. Finland finish third in the group, but appear unlikely to be one of the four best third-placed teams.
"We received tremendous support from the Finns," said Finland coach Markku Kanerva. "They inspired us. We could not achieve our goal of taking at least one point. We are obviously disappointed. I am proud of my team."
Finland knew they would only need a point to go through if the Danes won, but despite holding off Belgium for more than 70 minutes, they couldn't keep it up in the heat. "There were no spaces, it was a little bit difficult," De Bruyne said.
Finland did fall behind, in agonising circumstances, as Thomas Vermaelen's header from a corner struck the post and crossbar before being nudged over his own line by Hradecky. The underdogs had no choice but to chase an equaliser if they wanted to finish second in the group, but they were caught out again nine minutes from time. De Bruyne's clever pass into the area found Lukaku, who turned and slammed home a right-footed shot to score his 63rd international goal.
Also Read: Kevin De Bruyne: Did not celebrate my goal out of respect for Denmark fans
Three
No. of goals Belgium's Romelu Lukaku has scored in as many games in the ongoing Euro
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