Belgium will travel to Seville for their round-of-16 contest against a third-place team from either Group A, D, E or F. Finland must wait until the end of the group stage to see if they can qualify as one of the best third-place outfits.
Belgium secure a 2-0 victory over Finland this evening in their Euro 2020 Group B clash. An own goal from Lukas Hradecky and a strike from Romelu Lukaku delivered the three points to send the Red Devils through as group winners with a 100% record. The defeat leaves Finland in third place after Denmark defeated Russia to secure second spot. The Finns need other results to land in their favour to reach the knockout stage.
90′ + 4′ FULL-TIME: FINLAND 0-2 BELGIUM
90′ + 2′ De Bruyne has provided an assist in each of his last three matches for Belgium in all competitions. He’s got 38 assists for Belgium in 78 appearances.
90′ + 1′ On comes Forss for Finland as he replaces Lod.
90′ + 1′ Pukki is withdrawn in stoppage time and Jensen makes his way on to the pitch.
90′ + 1′ Vanaken replaces De Bruyne for the closing stages of the contest.
90′ There will be three minutes of added time.
88′ There has been no shortage of effort from Finland tonight. They’ve battled hard, but have been undone by a quality team.
86′ Lukaku has scored 10 goals for Belgium at the Euros/World Cup.
85′ OVER! De Bruyne sweeps a pass out to Hazard in space on the left flank. He takes a touch before firing at goal on his right foot, but he blazes his effort wide of the right post.
84′ Benteke replaces Lukaku for the closing stages of the contest. The Inter Milan forward has enjoyed another excellent outing.
82′ UPDATE! Denmark have paved their way through to the last 16 surely as they now lead Russia 4-1 in Copenhagen.
81′ De Bruyne leads a charge upfield and sends a simple offload for Lukaku to turn and score.
81′ GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! LUKAKU HAMMERS HOME A LOW STRIKE!!!! 2-0 BELGIUM!!!!! The forward gets his goal this time as he rifles an effort into the bottom-right corner. De Bruyne feeds Lukaku in the box and he rolls away from O’Shaughnessy. With his next touch he powers his right-footed strike past Hradecky. Game over.
80′ UPDATE! A stunner from Andreas Christensen has put Denmark 3-1 up against Russia. There’s hope for Finland.
79′ OVER! Better from Finland as Pukki offloads back to Lod, who sweeps a left-footed strike towards goal that travels just over the bar.
78′ BLOCK! Pukki is played through by Lod in the box, but he checks back on his right foot instead of striking his effort towards goal on his left. The hesitation allows Denayer to get back and block his eventual shot.
76′ Doku is withdrawn for the Red Devils as Batshuayi enters the action in the final third.
75′ Meunier makes his way on to the pitch to replace Trossard for Belgium.
74′ GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! A NIGHTMARE FOR FINLAND!! HRADECKY SCORES AN OWN GOAL! 1-0 BELGIUM!!! The Red Devils take the lead with an element of fortune as Vermaelen’s powerful header from De Bruyne’s corner strikes the underside of the bar and bounces out before striking Hradecky. It travels back over the line before the Finland keeper can claw it out. It’s a sickener for the Finns that could eliminate them from the tournament.
72′ BLOCK! Arajuuri holds firm at the back for the Finns as he blocks a powerful effort from Lukaku on the turn in the box. It’s all hands on deck for Kanerva’s men at the back.
71′ Belgium have scored in their last 32 matches in all competitions. The last time they failed to score was against France in their World Cup semi-final defeat.
70′ Alho makes his way on to the field to replace Uronen down the left flank.
70′ Kauko replaces Pohjanpalo, which might be a move to shore up the Finland midfield.
69′ UPDATE! Russia have got a goal back from the penalty spot. It’s 2-1 to Denmark in the other game in Group B. This is going down to the wirte.
66′ VAR DENIES BELGIUM THE LEAD!!! A huge moment in the game and in the context of qualification as Lukaku sees a goal chalked off for offside. De Bruyne leads a surge upfield and cuts opens the defence with a perfect pass to Lukaku. The forward takes a touch before placing his effort past Hradecky with a composed finished. However, it does not count as VAR spots that the forward is a fraction beyond the last defender. Finland are still on course for the last 16.
63′ HRADECKY TO THE RESCUE! Witsel opens up the Finland defence with a cutback to Hazard in the box. The forward places a low strike towards goal on his left foot. Hradecky sees it late, but manages to get down to make a fine stop.
62′ SAVE! Finland have a rare foray forward through Pukki. The forward combines with Pohjanpalo to tee up Kamara for a strike. The Rangers man sees his effort deflected and it travels safely into the hands of Courtois.
60′ Finland have something to hold on to now. Kanerva and his men have belief, but will Belgium break their resistance.
59′ Schuller makes his way on to the pitch to replace Sparv for Finland.
58′ SAVE! Hazard latches on to a low cross from the right flank from De Bruyne, but he scuffs his effort straight at Hradecky.
58′ UPDATE: Denmark have doubled their advantage against Russia. As it stands, Finland are heading through to the last 16.
56′ De Bruyne and Witsel are halted by the Finland defence before Chadli attempts a low strike, but his effort is comfortably saved by Hradecky.
54′ Hazard has a dart at the Finland defence, but after cutting inside on his left foot from the right flank he sends a harmless strike wide of the target.
53′ De Bruyne sends Chadli down the left flank and he digs out a cross into the middle. Lukaku rises, but it travels over his head and is hooked behind by Uronen.
51′ Denayer presses forward from the back and opts for a strike from distance. However, he blasts his effort well wide of the target. Not the best decision from the Belgium defender.
49′ Lukaku opens up the Finland defence with an incisive pass to De Bruyne, who offloads to Trossard. The Brighton man tries to send a low ball across the face of goal, but O’Shaughnessy is on hand to clear.
48′ Finland failed to have a single attempt on goal in the first half but had two shots in the opening 26 seconds of the second half.
46′ BLOCK! Finland start the second half with a couple of strikes. Pukki raids down the left and tees up Pohjanpalo for a shot, but his effort is blocked by Denayer. Kamara pounces on the rebound and finds Pukki who shoots, only to be denied by De Bruyne.
46′ We’re back under way in Saint Petersburg.
Belgium have dominated possession, but have come up against a resolute Finland defence. Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Doku have been lively in the final third, although it will taken an improvement from Roberto Martinez’s men to find a breakthrough.
It’s goalless at the break between Finland and Belgium in their Euro 2020 Group B clash in Saint Petersburg. There have been few chances in the opening 45 minutes, but the best opening came for the Red Devils when Jeremy Doku was denied by a fine stop from Lukas Hradecky. The Finns have been buoyed by news elsewhere that Denmark are beating Russia. That result and a draw for the Finns would allow them to advance. A massive 45 minutes awaits.
45′ + 1′ HALF-TIME: FINLAND 0-0 BELGIUM
45′ + 1′ Hazard moves gingerly as he gets to his feet. That will be a concern to Martinez.
45′ There will be one minute of added time.
45′ PENALTY SHOUT! Lukaku feeds Hazard in the right-inside channel, who goes down under pressure from O’Shaughnessy. The referee has a look, but dismissses his appeal for a spot-kick.
44′ Doku has space once more on the left flank, but on this occasion Toivio holds the winger in check and earns his team a goal-kick.
42′ SAVE! Hradecky produces a fine diving stop to deny Doku. The winger surges down the left flank before cutting inside to shoot on his right foot. He curls a low effort towards the bottom-right corner, but Hradecky sticks out a hand to push it past the post.
41′ Finland have not offered anything in the final third in the first half. They’ve been solid enough at the back, but they have to improve going forward to put Belgium under a semblance of pressure.
39′ BLOCK! O’Shaughnessy is in the right place at the right time to block Lukaku’s effort from close range after a great run and cross from Doku set up the Inter Milan forward.
38′ UPDATE! Denmark have taken the lead against Russia. It’s great news for Finland, who will advance to the knockout stages if the two results remain the same at full-time.
37′ CHANCE! Lukaku peels off the back of O’Shaughnessy and heads a cross from De Bruyne towards goal. However, he cannot generate the power needed on his effort and Hradecky completes a comfortable save.
36′ Arajuuri is back on his feet and the action resumes.
35′ Arajuuri needs treatment after blocking Doku’s effort. The rest of the players use the time to take on water on the sideline.
34′ BLOCK! Belgium up the ante and Doku makes a menancing run into the box. He strikes a firm left-footed effort towards goal, but Arajurri puts his body on the line to block the shot.
34′ OVER! Trossard tries to make a break through the Finland line and he shifts the ball on to his left foot in a run in from the right. He powers a left-footed strike towards the target, but it soars over the bar.
32′ WIDE! Space opens up for Witsel to have a strike at goal. He opens up his body to strike on his right foot, but he places his attempt wide of the right post.
31′ Doku drops his shoulder on a surge down the right flank. He sends a low cross into the middle that is cleared by the left boot of Toivio.
30′ Belgium continue to be patient with their build up in the final third, but are finding life tough to break down the Finns.
28′ De Bruyne looks up and delivers a dangerous cross in from the right flank, but it travels behind Lukaku and away from other lurking red shirts.
25′ Doku has a dart against Uronen down the right flank, but the Finland defender holds firm and completes a fine sliding tackle to stop the winger’s progress.
23′ Belgium keep the pressure on through Witsel, but his low drive from 20 yards travels into the arms of Hradecky.
23′ De Bruyne surges at the Finland defence and bursts into the left-inside channel. He goes for a cutback from the byline, but Arajuuri intercepts the cross with the aid of Hradecky to clear the danger.
21′ Arajuuri gives the ball away straight to Lukaku. He surges past one defender before reaching the edge of the box. Lukaku opts for the offload to Hazard instead of the strike, but it deflects off O’Shaughnessy and into the hands of Hradecky.
20′ Vermaelen feeds the ball inside to Lukaku in the box and he tries to turn under pressure from Arajuuri. Sparv comes to support his team-mate and disposseses the forward and takes a knock in the process.
18′ Uronen collects in space on the left flank and he hits an early cross that sails over the heads of everyone in the middle. Raitala desperately tries to keep it alive, but it just beats out for a throw-in.
17′ Kamara gets the better of Trossard in a duel in the middle of the park. Belgium are not having contest all their own way.
16′ OFFSIDE! De Bruyne threads the needle to release Lukaku in the left-inside channel, but the forward drills his left-footed strike wide of the right post. The Inter Milan forward will be relieved to see the offside flag raised as he moved a fraction too soon.
14′ Belgium probe down the right flank, but De Bruyne’s angled cross towards Lukaku sails straight into the hands of Hradecky.
12′ Uronen steers the ball into the path of Pukki in the box. The forward takes a touch but De Bruyne dispossesses him before he can pull the trigger on a strike. A vital intervention from the Manchester City man.
10′ Kamara tries to send Uronen down the left flank, but the midfielder overhits his pass out of play for a throw-in.
7′ Lukaku shields the ball in the final third and looks for the offload on the turn for Hazard, but Arajuuri steers a clearance back to Hradecky to send the ball downfield.
6′ Hazard tries to make a break in the box in the left-inside channel. However, Raitala tracks his progress and clears the danger for the Finns.
4′ Lukaku tries to bundle his way through the Finland defence on the edge of the box. Toivio and Arajuuri combine to block off the forward and win possession for their side.
3′ Belgium work the ball around the edge of the Finland box, probing for gaps in the defensive line.
1′ We’re under way in Saint Petersburg.
Belgium have failed to beat Finland in their last seven meetings (D3 L4), their last victory over the Finns dates back to October 1968, in a World Cup qualifier (6-1).
Belgium have made eight changes to their side from their win over Denmark last time out. Denayer, Courtois and Lukaku retain their spots in the line-up. Boyata, Vermaelen, Trossard, De Bruyne, Witsel, Chadli, Doku and Hazard all come into the fold this evening as Martinez freshens up the ranks.
Finland have made one change to their line-up from their defeat against Russia. Sparv comes into the side in the middle of the park in place of Schuller, who drops to the bench this evening. Kanerva keeps faith with the strikeforce of Pukki and Pohjanpalo to fire his side into the last 16 of the competition.
BELGIUM SUBS: Jan Vertonghen, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Simon Mignolet, Matz Sels, Dries Mertens, Thomas Meunier, Hans Vanaken, Leander Dendoncker, Christian Benteke, Michy Batshuayi, Denis Praet.
BELGIUM (3-4-3): Thibaut Courtois; Dedryck Boyata, Jason Denayer, Thomas Vermaelen; Leandro Trossard, Kevin De Bruyne, Axel Witsel, Nacer Chadli; Jeremy Doku, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku.
FINLAND SUBS: Leo Vaisanen, Robert Taylor, Fredrik Jensen, Rasmus Schuller, Jesse Joronen, Pyry Soiri, Nikolai Alho, Joni Kauko, Anssi Jaakkola, Onni Valakari, Robert Ivanov, Marcus Forss.
FINLAND (3-5-2): Lukas Hradecky; Joona Toivio, Paulus Arajuuri, Daniel O’Shaughnessy; Jukka Raitala, Robin Lod, Tim Sparv, Glen Kamara, Jere Uronen; Joel Pohjanpalo, Teemu Pukki.
Belgium are safely through to the knockout stage of the tournament after following up their win over Russia with a comeback triumph over Denmark last time out. Roberto Martinez will be satisfied with the performances of his team to date, especially with their response after conceding an early goal to the Danes. The Red Devils will be keen to advance with a 100% record in the group stage to put them on a collision course with a third-place team in the round of 16.
Finland can secure their place in the knockout stage of the tournament with a victory tonight, or if Russia lose their contest against Denmark a draw would suffice. It would be a major achievement for Markku Kanerva’s men to qualify for the knockout stage in their first appearance at the Euros. In difficult circumstances they emerged with a victory against Denmark, only to be pegged back by Russia last time out. Challenges don’t come much tougher than Belgium, but the rewards are great for the Finns tonight.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Euro 2020 Group B clash between Finland and Belgium at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Until next time, goodbye.