Lukaku v Ronaldo as Belgium Battle Holders Portugal for Q’final Ticket

EURO 2020… EURO 2020… EURO 2020…

• The world’s number-one ranked side Belgium will take on holders Portugal in a standout Euro 2020 tie in Spain today for a place in the quarter-finals

All eyes will be on Belgium forward Romelu Lukaku and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who have scored eight goals between them at Euro 2020

Ronaldo, who is the tournament’s leading scorer on five goals, is one away from setting a new men’s record for most national team goals.

Since the end of the 2018 World Cup, Lukaku has scored 23 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for Belgium, while also providing four assists.

The Inter Milan forward netted three goals in the group stage, including two in one match against Russia.

Ronaldo, 36, is now the top-scoring European player at major tournaments (World Cup and European Championship), with his double against France in the last game moving him beyond Miroslav Klose (19) to 21 goals.

Indeed, that was Ronaldo’s second double of Euro 2020 already – no player has registered three in a single tournament at the European Championship.

“At his age, he continues to shine and I’m going to try and get as close to his achievements as possible,” Lukaku, 28, said of his Portuguese rival.

The last-16 tie takes place in Seville.

Meanwhile, Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans could return for the match, which will include extra-time and penalties if it is level after 90 and 120 minutes respectively.

Tielemans started the first two group wins but did not play against Finland.

Wolves defender Nelson Semedo picked up a knock in Portugal’s last outing against France but has since returned to training.

Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes is hoping to return to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench for the last game.

Despite being top of Fifa’s world rankings.

Belgium have yet to win a major tournament.

Along with Italy and the Netherlands, Roberto Martinez’s team were one of three sides to finish the group stage with a maximum nine points.

While Italy and the Netherlands played their three games at ‘home’ in Rome and Amsterdam respectively, Belgium overcame Russia in St Petersburg, came from behind to beat Denmark in Copenhagen before returning to St Petersburg to defeat Finland.

Euro 2016 winners Portugal made it through to the last 16 as one of the best four third-placed teams.

They lost to Germany 4-2 in Munich after winning 3-0 in Hungary before a dramatic 2-2 draw with world champions France in Budapest.