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Padraig Whelan·17 June 2021
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Padraig Whelan·17 June 2021
Three more games and two big hitters booking their last 16 berths. Here is the best XI from day seven.
We saw the best and worst of him in the opening game but this was what can be when he cuts out the errors, making some smart saves, including from an Ezgjan Alioski, although he was unable to prevent the rebound.
After going so long without a goal for his country, the attack-minded wing-back now has two in two at this tournament, driving forward to put the game beyond doubt from a Donyell Malen pass.
After a comfortable first half, he was put under considerably more pressure after the break by North Macedonia and coped very well with it, particularly after they pulled one back to make it nervy.
On his return to the side, it wasn’t spectacular stuff at the back from the Juventus man but it was reliable, solid and without major incident. Everything you want from a centre-back really.
With the centre-backs more at fault than the 24-year-old for Belgium’s goals with some rash decisions, Maehle actually coped well with their threat throughout and gave the Danes plenty of overload opportunities on the left going forward with his runs.
What a player. He followed up his man of the match showing in the opener with another one here. The control and quality he has on the ball really makes him the Netherlands’ star man.
Introduced at half-time with Belgium trailing, the Manchester City maestro provided a delicious disguised assist and fantastic daisy-cutter for the winner to send his country into the last 16.
The youngster caught the attention throughout with his footwork and eye for a pass which always made him a threat. The only blot on his copybook was an embarrassing dive for which he was booked.
The 31-year-old has firmly grabbed the mantle of being his country’s main man in this competition, following up his first game wonder goal with another goal and assist to guide them to victory over North Macedonia.
Although he didn’t get on the score sheet, you only have to look at the havoc he caused with his blistering runs and fast feet on the right-hand side in the build-up to both Belgium goals. Even without scoring, he’s still a huge threat.
After a low key first half, he came into it after the break and set Belgium on their way to the comeback by supplying the finishing touch from De Bruyne’s fine pass for his seventh goal for his country.
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