EURO 2021: Belgium Vs Russia

• Belgium is one of only two European teams (alongside France) to have reached the quarter-finals of each of the last three major tournaments (World Cup + European Championships, reaching the last 8 at World Cup 2014, Euro 2016, World Cup 2018).

• As the USSR, Russia won the first European Championships in 1960, beating Yugoslavia 2-1 after extra time in the final. They have lost the subsequent three European Championships finals they have reached: 1964, 1972, and 1988.

Russia has started the match with real pace. Dzyuba is looking dangerous and almost opened-up player here. Dzyuba will be key. In the 7th Minute Dzyuba wins the first corner of the night, but the cross was extremely poor. Nothing came of it. Dzyuba is DANGER.

Lukaku's early goal, fortunate in its nature, settled their nerves with their free-scoring striker ruled onside after Semyonov's unfortunate touch gave him an open goal from 12 yards. He dedicated his opener to Inter team-mate Christian Eriksen, who had collapsed in Denmark's defeat to Finland earlier on Saturday.

It was not that Belgium was creating too many chances ...But at a relative premium until Hazard, from another defensive mistake, pulled a smart save from Shunin at his near post with a low effort from wide. The Dortmund winger forced the goalkeeper into action again 11 minutes before half-time, but this time palmed the ball straight at Meunier, who pounced on the loose ball to double Belgium's lead.

The second half became somewhat of a non-event thanks to Belgium's comfortable lead and little to trouble them from Russia's perspective, but in the final minutes, they added to their advantage to equal the scoreline from Italy's impressive opening victory against Turkey.

Meunier's fine threaded ball from midfield saw Lukaku show his pace to beat Diveev in a foot race and fire past Shunin from inside the box to secure a scoreline that matched Belgium's lofty expectations - for their opening game, at least.

Russia had started the better on home soil but flagged badly after falling behind and failed to use veteran forward Artem Dzyuba's presence to their advantage, as they failed to test Thibaut Courtois throughout and started their Group B campaign with a hard-working but frustrating defeat.

UEFA EURO ::: Who will get the Crown ? Group B Teams

  

It is the time of the UEFA EURO and we have brought our analysis of the exciting Football event as a usual overview of what is happening & what the rules say...

We have already given a snippet for Group A, in this tab we are going to showcase a spotlight on Group B :

And to start with we are choosing the teams as mentioned on the UEFA site as per the rules.

Denmark :

Past Best Record in UEFA: WInners 1992

Top Scorer in Qualifier : Ceistian Eriksen

Coach: Kasmer Hjumand

Key Player: Christian Eriksen. 

One of the best current attacking mid-fielder Eriksen already has more than 100 caps for his country is the key trump card in the Denmark team. Mikkel Damsgaard is also making a name for himself and he is also a key player to watch for in this tournament.

Finland :

Past Best Record in UEFA: N/A

Top Scorer in Qualifier : Teemu Pukki

Coach: Markku Kanerva

Key Player : Teemu Pukki 

Teemu is in great form in recent years and his goals have powered Finland to progress in the groups. Also, Fredrik Jensen has been pitching in nicely and their combination of goals would be a sweet adventure for Finland.

Belgium :

Past Best Record in UEFA: Runners-up 1980

Top Scorer in Qualifier : Romelo Lukaku

Coach: Roberto Martinez

Key Player : Kevin De Bruyne 

As the 19/30 Euro Champions league midfielder De Bruyne is going through the golden midas touch currently, and if their performance in the recent world-cup would be any hint to show what they can do as a team, then Denmark can obviously the choice of many to lift the cup. And their current standing as Number 1 as a team also have something which they would like to prove.

Russia :

Past Best Record in UEFA: Semis-2008 (WInners 1960, as USSR)

Top Scorer in Qualifier : Artem Dzyuba

Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov

Key Player : Artem Dzyuba. 

Artem is currently the 2nd highest goal-getter for his country & would soon like to touch the pole position. And as seen by many Aleksandr Sobolev who is seen as the successor of Stanislav also started getting goals in national Jersey, so they both can score and show their mantle to prove their worth as a team.

For the details of other groups keep checking on and it is their in our tabs...