Shocking Results at Euro 2020: Ronaldo’s Portugal and Netherlands Left in Tears

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Defending champions Portugal and one of the best teams in the tournament so far, the Netherlands, were eliminated in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.

Ronaldo exit euro2020
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal left Euro 2020 in the Round of 16. (Image: Twitter/OGambling)

The day began with the Czech Republic shocking the Netherlands in Budapest after a dismal performance from the Dutch. Expected to shine and push their national team forward, Depay and Wijnaldum were only phantoms on the pitch and could only witness the Czech’s joy. Wijnaldum completed just 10 passes in the game, the lowest number ever from a Dutch outfield player in the knockout stages at the Euros.

The key moment in the game came after 55 minutes. First, Malen missed a huge chance, not being able to beat Vaclik in a one-on-one situation. Instead of going up 1-0, the Dutch found themselves down to 10 men after a few seconds. On the counter, De Ligt thought he needed to stop Schick from going clear at any cost.

He put his hand on the ball and first got a yellow. Then, the VAR stepped in, asking Russian referee Karasev to check his decision. The yellow turned red for De Ligt, and the orange wave in the stands and on the pitch broke into pieces.

Tomas Holes punched first after 68 minutes, then Schick scored his fourth goal at Euro 2020 to seal the Netherlands’ fate. The Czech Republic won the game 2-0 and will now play Denmark for a place in the tournament’s semifinals.

Ronaldo says farewell

Portugal hoped to defend their triumph from five years ago. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates beat France in 2016 to win their first Euro trophy. After escaping the madness in Group C, which included France and Germany, the Portuguese faced another one of the tournament’s big favorites, Belgium, in the Round of 16.

Thorgan and Eden Hazard, alongside De Bruyne and Lukaku, went through a scare, but survived Portugal and climbed further on their way to the top. A furious and frustrated Ronaldo threw his armband to the ground, then hugged Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and star forward Lukaku before entering the tunnel to the locker room. It’s a sad exit for Ronaldo, who dreamed of captaining Portugal way further in the competition.

Ronaldo isn’t leaving the scene with empty hands. He scored five times at Euro 2020 and equaled a historic record. If the 36-year old superstar nets one more time for the Portuguese national team, he’ll surpass Iranian legend Ali Daei. They are now tied as all-time leading goalscorers in international football.

The Belgium vs Portugal clash in Sevilla was decided by a thundering shot from Dortmund’s Thorgan Hazard. The goal came after 42 minutes, with the Portuguese missing their biggest chances in the second half. Guerreiro hit the post as the last whistle was approaching, while Ruben Dias headed the ball into Courtois’ safe hands from a few meters out.

France still favorites to win Euro 2020

Belgium will now face Italy in the quarter-finals in Munich on July 2. If they go through, they could face the winner of another blockbuster, France or Spain, who are both big favorites to qualify in front of Switzerland and Croatia respectively.

France remains the favorite to win Euro 2020 at +430. Italy comes second at +600, with Germany and Spain at +750. At the finish of the group stage, Netherlands was at +800, with Belgium just behind at +850.

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