Belgium vs Portugal: Ronaldo ready to fire against Belgium at Euro 2020

One of the standout ties in the last-16 stage of Euro 2020 will take place in Seville on Sunday evening, with Belgium, who have a 100% record at this summer’s competition, facing the holders Portugal.

The Belgians breezed their way through the group stage, with three victories helping them secure top spot in Group B. The world’s number one ranked nation were one of just three sides – alongside Italy and the Netherlands who finished the group stage with a 100% record.

Belgium are undefeated in 25 of their last 26 matches. They have won 10 of their last 12 including all three at Euro 2020.

Portugal finished third in a pulsating Group F finale to progress to this stage – as the best third-placed team.

Portugal are undefeated in 29 of their last 32 matches. They played two friendlies to prepare for Euro 2020, a 0-0 draw against Spain followed by a 4-0 win against Israel.

A place in the quarterfinals, against either Italy or Austria, awaits the winner of this tie.

Belgium vs Portugal Predictions:

• Belgium are undefeated in 25 of their last 26 matches (all competitions).
• Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has scored 8 goals in his last 8 international matches (all competitions).
• Portugal have won 3 of their last 4 matches against Belgium (all competitions).
• Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 3 goals in his last 2 matches against Belgium (all competitions).
• Portugal are undefeated in 29 of their last 32 matches (all competitions).
• Portugal have drawn 8 of their last 11 matches (European Championship).
• Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 6 goals in his last 4 international matches (all competitions).

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 109 goals in 178 appearances for Portugal. He finally equalled Ali Daei as the top international goalscorer of all time.

This will be the 19th meeting between the sides and Portugal have a marginally better record in previous games played.

Portugal have a 6-5 advantage against Belgium with 7 draws in 18 matches.

The Selecao have six wins to their name, while Belgium were victorious on five occasions. The two sides played out draws in seven previous matches.

One of those draws came in their most recent fixture, a goalless stalemate played in a friendly warm-up before the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Belgium have not suffered defeat in any competition since a 2-1 loss to England at Wembley in October 2020 in the UEFA Nations League. Since then, the Red Devils have gone 12 games without defeat, with 10 games in that sequence ending in victory.

Portugal have been fairly inconsistent and have just two wins from their last five international fixtures.

Belgium finished third at the 2018 World Cup but have not advanced past the quarter-finals of a European Championship since finishing as runners-up in 1980, meaning that their experience in the latter stages is limited despite now being considered as one of the finest sides in international football.

Belgium are heavy favorites to win Euro 2020 and their golden generation are running out of time to taste success. The Red Devils sauntered their way through the group stage which showed their readiness to take on all comers.

On the other side, Portugal have not exactly set the stage alight but it will be foolhardy to write off a side with Cristiano Ronaldo in it. The defending champions have lost the defensive solidity that had defined their play under Fernando Santos and this plays into the hands of a vibrant Belgian attack.

This is an incredibly difficult game to call, as it really is a flip of the coin. Both teams will feel that they can hurt the other in the final third of the field, and it is set to be a fascinating contest in Seville.

This should be a great game that is expected to go to extra time. Portugal’s Ronaldo is in fantastic form and backed in the goalscorers markets.

Our prediction: Draw @ 3.27