Xtra Time Web Desk: Favourites Belgium topped Group B with a convincing 2-0 win over Finland in EURO 2020 clash at Saint Petersburg on Monday. In another Group B encounter Denmark thrashed Russia 4-1 to end second on points table. The Danes will face Wales in last 16 while Belgium will play their round-of-16 clash on Sunday in Seville. Despite loss to the world no 1 ranked side, Finland have a slim chance of qualifying as the third best finisher in the group. All the three teams in Group B – Denmark, Finland and Russia ended on 3 points , but Finland finishing above Russia based on all three side’s records without their games against Belgium.
In the match at Saint Petersburg, Lukas Hradecky was outstanding in the Finland defence, denying Romelu Lukaku, Jeremy Doku and Eden Hazard twice with fantastic saves. But an unfortunate own goal from Hradecky saw Finland trailing 0-1 in 74th minute. Belgium scored a second as Lukaku turned well fired a low shot past Hradecky in the 81 st minute.
Belgium made eight changes from the win over Denmark as Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Meunier, Dendoncker, Tielemans, Thorgan Hazard, Mertens and Carrasco dropped out, replaced by Boyata, Vermaelen, Trossard, De Bruyne, Witsel, Chadli, Eden Hazard and young Jeremy Doku.
In another EURO 2020 Group B clash at Copenhagen, hosts Denmark defeated Russia by a 4-1 margin. Mikkel Damsgaard (38) Yussuf Poulsen (59) Andreas Christensen (79) and Joakim Maehle (82) were on the score sheet for the Danes. Artem Dzyuba (70) pulled one back for Russia from a penalty.
It was the same venue where, just over a week ago, Denmark and their supporters were left shocked and upset by Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest, there were wild celebrations as the Danes produced a superb performance to blow away their visitors.