• Lukas Hradecky 7 - A clutch save against Hazard in the 64th minute denied what looked to be Belgium’s best chance of the game. Could probably be downgraded for the own goal but it was desperately unlucky. Couldn’t do anything about Lukaku’s strike. EPA
  • Jere Uronen 6 - Dealt well with the majority of attacks down the flank but wasn’t too involved in attacks by his own team. AFP
  • Daniel O'Shaughnessy 6 - Finland manager Markku Kanerva would have been keen to get O’Shaughnessy involved further up the field to utilise his giant throw abilities, but the Finnish side simply didn’t threaten enough in dangerous areas to create more than a single opportunity. EPA
  • Paulus Arajuuri 7 - Worked hard in defence. Finland have a no-nonsense defender in Arajuuri who was prepared to put his body on the line for his country. EPA
  • Joona Toivio 7 - Cut out a Lukaku pass destined for Hazard inside the box and that was a theme throughout the game for Toivio who often got in the way of Belgian attacks. Great display. AFP
  • Jukka Raitala 6 - Battled strongly in a matchup that saw the full-back tasked against Hazard before the skillful Jeremy Doku. Gave a good account of himself. AFP
  • Robin Lod 6 - Didn’t take enough care of the ball at times. AFP
  • Tim Sparv 6 - Enforced proceedings well from the middle of the park but his work ethic looked to tire the midfielder out. Replaced on the hour mark by Schuller. AFP
  • Glen Kamara 7 - Calm on the ball in moments of pressure. The Rangers man took the game in his stride and tried to get Finland moving in the right direction. Also read the play well to win possession back for his side. AFP
  • Joel Pohjanpalo 5 - While the more mobile forward tried to work the channels, Pohjanpalo was unable to trouble a stubborn Belgium backline. Laid the ball off well for Glen Kamara who failed to generate enough power to trouble Courtois. AFP
  • Teemu Pukki 5 - No service for the Finland frontman. The striker was too slow with the ball when receiving it in the box in the first half. Reuters
  • SUB: Rasmus Schuller (Sparv, 59) 6 - Took reasonable care of the ball and tried to release teammates with long balls on a number of occasions, but it was a familiar task for the midfielder as Finland weathered constant pressure. AFP
  • SUB: Joni Kauko (Pohjanpalo, 70) N/R - On for Pohjanpalo in the last 20. Unable to threaten the defence. Reuters
  • SUB: Nikolai Alho (Uronen, 70) N/R - Got forward on the right-flank but the sight of Pukki against three Belgian centre-backs doesn’t make it easy to pick out an accurate cross. AFP
  • SUB: Fredrik Jensen (Pukki, 90) N/R - Introduced for Pukki who had worked hard with little service throughout the game. EPA
  • SUB: Marcus Forss (Lod, 90) N/R - On in the last moments, unsure if he even got to touch the ball. AFP
  • Thibaut Courtois 6 - Largely a spectator throughout the game as Finland looked to play for a clean sheet and scuffed any opportunities presented to them. AFP
  • Thomas Vermaelen 7 - A leaping header gave Belgium the opener when the ball cannoned back off the post, into the goalkeeper, and then back into the goal. AFP
  • Jason Denayer 7 - Brought ball out of defence to break Finland’s forward press, but it was too easy for the Belgium back three on the night. His sides most active defender - dealt with everything comfortably. AP
  • Dedryck Boyata 6 - Kept shape well and organised from the middle of the back three. Not a great deal to do. AFP
  • Nacer Chadli 6 - A lifted cross was overhit to miss Romelu Lukaku at the backpost which would have assisted the opener. Not much to do on defence with Finland attacks coming down the opposite flank for the majority of the game. AFP
  • Axel Witsel 7 - Kept things ticking on a quiet day at the office. An audacious effort from range cleared the goal comfortably. AFP
  • Kevin De Bruyne 7 - It was a case of third time lucky as Kevin de Bruyne found Lukaku three times to create big chances. The first two were offside, but Lukaku swivelled and struck home the third to give a deserved assist to the Belgian playmaker. AFP
  • Leandro Trossard 7 - Positive play getting forward with Trossard playing similar to how he performs for Brighton. A good display before being withdrawn. AFP
  • Eden Hazard 6 - Didn’t catch hold of a half-chance which rolled into the hands of the goalkeeper before a golden chance was squandered on his left foot. Regardless, tonight’s match will be helpful for Hazard’s return to match fitness. AFP
  • Jeremy Doku 7 - Enjoyed himself on the pitch with plenty of dribbling but that wasn’t always to the benefit of his team mates. Still, the flamboyant midfielder didn’t have to worry with Belgium already qualified into the next stages. Unlucky not to pick up an assist. Reuters
  • Romelu Lukaku 7 - Took his chances well when presented with the first being offside. A good finish by the forward who will be keen to hunt down the golden boot. Reuters
  • SUB: Thomas Meunier (Trossard, 76) N/R - Slotted in on the right side of midfield but didn’t get an opportunity to add to his Euro 2020 tally after scoring vs Russia. Reuters
  • SUB: Michy Batshuayi (Doku, 76) N/R - Not able to get on the scoresheet in his cameo. Reuters
  • SUB: Christian Benteke (Lukaku, 84) N/R - Introduced for Lukaku with the game in control. Reuters
  • SUB: Hans Vanaken (De Bruyne, 90) N/R - On for De Bruyne in the last minute of the game. AFP

Sport

Football

Euro 2020 Finland v Belgium player ratings: Teemu Pukki 5, Glen Kamara 7 ; Romelu Lukaku 7, Eden Hazard 6

Belgium manager Martinez 'delighted' trio of Hazard, De Bruyne and Witsel come through 2-0 victory unscathed

Adam Brown

June 22, 2021

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Belgium coach Roberto Martinez was delighted after three of his key midfielders came through a tough final group match against Finland on Monday to boost the team's chances of Euro 2020 success even further.

Captain Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, all doubtful when Belgium assembled for their pre-tournament preparations a fortnight before Euro 2020 kicked off, proved their fitness in the 2-0 win over Finland.

"I was delighted because if you would have asked me before we played our first warm-up friendly against Greece what I wanted, it would have been to get all nine points from our three games and to get all the injured players back," Martinez told reporters.

"At that point, Axel and Kevin were not involved in either of our two friendlies and Eden had just eight minutes against Croatia. So clearly today to see 90 minutes for Axel and Eden and the time that Kevin was on the pitch was very satisfying," he added.

Updated: June 22, 2021, 9:05 AM

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