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Here is the report.
FOOT LIKE A TRACTION ENGINE.
WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!!!
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2021
Watch and listen on the BBC https://t.co/XraUz1fsnJ#RUSDEN #Euro2020 #bbceuro2020 pic.twitter.com/dhyeL19Lwv
Decent finish.
"He's toying with them!" 💬
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 21, 2021
Romelu Lukaku gets his goal this time...
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Vibhanshu Bisht says: “Going with today’s theme of looking at everything from the perspective of England’s interest, the results today also mean that England are surely through to the next round, as there are two third-placed teams with 3 points now (Ukraine and Finland)”
IT’S COMING HOME!
Full-time: Finland 0-2 Belgium
It is a shame Finland could not hold on for a draw but Belgium at walking pace were the superior team.
90+1 mins: A pitch invader gets onto the playing area but is quickly detained.
90 mins: Three minutes added on.
89 mins: Belgium’s reward for winning this will be to go from St Petersburg to Sevilla for a game on Sunday. Not ideal, I would say.
87 mins: A couple more minutes of going through the motions it is.
85 mins: If Finland manage to score twice here, you can all come round to mine for cans.
83 mins: Finland certainly did their best but their tournament is almost certainly over. Lukaku is heading off.
Denmark are 4-1 up.
GOAL! Finland 0-2 Belgium (Lukaku, 81)
The striker gets his goal bu spinning the box and thwacking the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards. Finland look very tired now.
Updated
81 mins: Antti Böök says: “I suppose this isn’t the right place to tell anyone that the last time we lost to Belgium was in 1987. Our last 7 games against them have yielded 4 wins and 3 draws. But I suppose it’s futile to try to change people’s misconceptions about our national football team. The comments have often been quite tedious tbh. But we’re not a country who gives up easily. Those boys will go down fighting.”
Christensen has just whacked one in from miles out for Denmark. Jonathan Pierce has gone full Partridge.
79 mins: Pukki has some space in the box to run into but instead cuts back and pings a shot straight at a defender. Pukki is not firing.
The Norwich striker does better to set up Lod but his shot from 20 yards rises over the top.
77 mins: What a shame for Hradecky who has kept Finland in this game with some stunning saves.
Belgium and Denmark the two teams currently going through.
GOAL! Finland 0-1 Belgium (Hradecky og, 75)
Vermaelen climbs highest to head a corner down onto the post, before bouncing back off the goalkeeper and into the net.
Updated
72 mins: Finland are well organised but they need to put in a hell of a shift here to keep Belgium out.
70 mins: Finland make a couple of subs, bringing on Alho and Kauko to add some fresh legs and an extra man in midfield.
Russia pull one back against Denmark.
68 mins: That took an age ... the naked eye lies.
65 mins: NO GOAL! De Bruyne slides the ball into Lukaku’s feet, allowing the striker to turn the defender with ease on the edge of the box and slot into the corner. After an eternity it is disallowed for offside. It did not look off to me.
Updated
63 mins: Finland force their way into the Belgian box, where Pukki lays the ball off to Kamara who scuffs at shot in the direction of Courtois. It is a shot on target at least.
Down the other end ... Hradecky pulls offer another fine save to prevent Hazard opening the scoring.
Thomas Hopkins has a BIG QUESTION to ask: “While there’s nothing much going on on the pitch, can I ask any of your Finnish readers whether Karaoke Restroom is still an integral part of Helsinki nightlife?”
Keown has just made a crap joke about Finland’s manager previously being a maths teacher.
61 mins: Schüller came on for Sparv, if you’re interested.
Denmark are now winning 2-0 ... the goal was hilarious, too.
59 mins: A corner is played cutely into the box by Belgium but the onrushing Hazard makes a poor connection and sends it straight at the ‘keeper.
The bad news is Tim Sparv is off, as he is very tired.
Les Brown says: “Of course, if Tim Sparv’s full name is Timothy Sparv, you can mangle it into “Tory TV mishap”
“(Must get back to the match...)“
57 mins: Chadli passes a shot through the crowd in the area from 18 yards but Hradecky gobbles it up.
“My favourite,” says Gregory Phillips of anagrams, “mostly because it conjures images of an ‘80s American sports commentator, is Marv Spit.”
55 mins: I hope Finland have some very fit subs, as they will need them. Admittedly, Belgium are helping the current players by building their attacks at walking pace.
It’s tenuous but I will take it.
Updated
53 mins: We all love Tim Sparv but even we can admit he is not as quick as Doku.
Chadli gets involved by chipping in a cross from the byline but it goes over Lukaku. Belgium do win a corner, however, which Hazard sends in but it is headed away.
This could be a long second half for Finland.
51 mins: Denayer pings a shot from 25 yards. It does not go near the goal.
Mary Waltz says: “English ex-footballer pundits obsessing over the English squad to the exclusion of everything else. I am sooooo shocked!!!!!” I think she’s being sarcastic.
49 mins: O’Shaughnessy sends in a long throw but it is headed away by Vermaelen before any danger can be caused.
Belgium break down the other end through Lukaku, who slips in De Bruyne to lay it off to Trossard but his cross is turned behind.
47 mins: Finland start on the front foot and have a couple of half-chances inside the box but both are blocked.
In hindsight, someone with a slightly longer name might have been better.
@Will_Unwin Tim Sparv anagrams, Vis Tramp, Vamp Stir, Vat Prism
— Paul Howarth (@TOOFEE) June 21, 2021
Second half
Here we go again!
Peter Oh is here to say: “I’m pulling for the Finns to get a famous win off the number one-ranked (huh?) Belgians. Is it that unlikely? Ok, less likely than Helsinki freezing over, but still.”
ANAGRAM ALERT!
“What about VARmpits?” asks Alex Partenopei. “The way in which the modern game disallows a perfectly good goal because a player’s armpit was in wrong place at wrong time.”
Lineker et al are talking about England. I know this game is not great but this is tedious.
“I think a few of us can speak football over here,” says Peter Pearson. “They don’t like it up ‘em when you pump it over the top to the big man and get it in the mixer on a cold rainy night in Stoke!” See? Fluent. I once even saw a copy of Inverting the Pyramid over here. Anyway, thanks for having us, your MBMs are always highly entertaining even when the football isn’t (especially when the football isn’t).
Neil Way got a little distracted: “Disappointingly for Mike Mackenzie, the website (in the UK, at least) of the relevant well-known sportswear manufacturer seems to be entirely unaware of the Finnish kit, or of Finland at all. This despite being stocked with the wares of non-qualifiers Greece and Slovenia, and other heavyweights like Saudi Arabia and China. Seems like a missed opportunity.
“Also a missed opportunity: the slightly less well-known sportswear manufacturer responsible for Denmark should surely keep a remade version of the 1986 shirt permanently in stock. Again, not according to their website.
“I did get a bit bored during the game, yes, sorry.”
Anna Riijärvi is here to grow the Tim Sparv love-in: “Finnish reader here, overjoyed at the love shown to our captain Tim Sparv! His mother tongue is Swedish (like ~5% of Finns), his name means sparrow and my Swedish teacher mother is overjoyed to be able to use him as an example next school year! OI SUOMI ON️”
Let’s all learn about Swedish sparrows.
“How about vim sprat?” Richard Hirst offers an anagram of Tim Sparv. As did someone on Twitter who confused the hell out of me.
“Instead of trying to score,” says Michael Gibson. “Eden Hazard tried what is known as (by me anyway) the Harry Kane penalty. He basically gets in front of the defender then slams the brakes on completely illogically. Defender naturally runs into him and down goes Kane, clutching his back/ankle/arse etc. Describes it as ‘using his body’. Shameful from Hazard, he had a shooting chance as well.”
Rahul Vanamali says: “Chadli’s been a bit poor for me today. Heavy touches, some failed flicks, and a bit of ball turnover - hoping Thorgan Hazard makes it back for the knockouts. That being said, seeing Doku play on the left for the last few minutes has been pretty exciting, he’s really come alive!”
I forgot Chadli was playing.
Join Barney Ronay and Jonathan Liew for a special, free pre-game preview of the Euro 2020 final at 1pm on Friday 9 July, exclusively available to Guardian subscribers. In this interactive livestream chat, we’ll be discussing the highlights of the tournament and - crucially - who will walk away with the trophy in the final.
Updated
Half-time: Finland 0-0 Belgium
Finland are defending extremely well against a Belgium team using this as a training game.
45 mins: Hazard goes down in the box following a tangle of legs with O’Shaughnessy. The referee gives nothing and is right to do so.
One minutes added on.
44 mins: Finland holding on a bit here as Belgium toy with them.
42 mins: Doku once again drives down the left, on this occasion he cuts in and whacks a shot towards the bottom corner but Hradecky dives with his left arm outstretched to save.
Denmark are winning 1-0 ...
Updated
40 mins: Doku drives down the left flank and pings a cross back to Lukaku but his first time finish is blocked.
John Little is a little bored: “This needs to lively up a bit. Failing that is there a prize for best anagram from Tim Sparv in your readers’ native language?”
I am doing my best, John.
38 mins: De Bruyne lifts a ball to Lukaku in the box, allowing the strike to flick a header towards goal but it is straight at Hradecky.
36 mins: Arajuuri is down after being whacked in the chest by a Doku shot. That is a winder.
34 mins: Trossard is the latest to let off a shot from 20 yards but he also sends it a couple of yards over the bar.
Mike Mackenzie further points out the North American influence of this MBM: “In Canada our Euros broadcaster (TSN) is showing only the Finland vs Belgium match on 4 of its 5 channels. Those come free with most cable subscriptions. If you want to watch Denmark vs Russia. it’s on their pay channel!”
32 mins: Pukki loses the ball facing his own goal, with Doku finding space to cross but the defence stays strong and it is cleared. Another cross is partially cleared to an onrushing Witsel but he cannot control his shot and it goes well over.
30 mins: Tim Sparv does seem to be a calming influence on this Finnish time. Kamara is there to do his running.
28 mins: Uronen goes through the back of Trossard, leaving the Belgian in a heap near his own corner. Finland fans are doing ‘oles’ whenever the pass the ball successfully. Not even half an hour in here ...
26 mins: Mary Waltz says in response to Matt Burtz: “There is no question that we across the pond have a long way to go as far as football knowledge and the rest. But I fully understand why ESPN picked Russia v Denmark over Belgium v Finland. The Russia match has a far greater chance to be competitive. Pre match, depending how much effort Belgium puts in, that fixture has the far greater chance of being a blowout or a Finland park the bus snoozefest. And as far as drawing ratings the emotional drama of the Erickson saga is more likely to draw a crowd.”
24 mins: De Bruyne comes alive in the box, drifting through a couple of defenders before pulling back a cross which a defender diverts towards his own goal but it ricochets off Hradecky’s head, preventing disaster. Witsel then lets rip from distance but the goalkeeper holds on.
22 mins: Lukaku picks up a loose pass and drives at the Finland defence before trying to slip it through to Hazard but his pass deflects off a defence and back to the goalkeeper.
20 mins: Finland have 11 men behind the ball whenever Belgium have possession. Some good commitment from them. Naturally, the question is how long they can keep it up.
Lukaku leaves a foot in on Sparv. Lukaku is now an enemy of the Guardian.
18 mins: Uronen swings in a cross from the left but it goes over everyone in the box. It is a sign of intent, at least.
16 mins: De Bruyne slips through a pass to Lukaku who runs onto the ball but drags his shot wide. The other issue being he is deemed a yard offside by the liner.
Updated
14 mins: De Bruyne swings in a cross but it lands in the goalkeeper’s arms. This is not a dynamic fixture.
Mike Mackenzie emails: “I must say that I do like the Finnish home kit. One of the best at these Euros. That’s enough reason for me to hope the Finns progress to the next round!”
Let’s hope they all get through so we can buy one and support them next time.
12 mins: Pukki collects a cross in the box but his first touch is poor and a defender collects it. Finland need their main man to do better in those situations.
10 mins: Finland are growing into this game ...
8 mins: I would describe the pace of this game as “Sunday league pre-season friendly”. Belgium, who made eight changes, are just happy to build up their fitness, while Finland are pleased they’re not having to work too hard.
6 mins: Belgium are knocking it around and Finland are not pressing them with any much intensity. Very much attack v defence.
4 mins: Finland are playing very deep and look happy to soak up possession. One would think they will need to score at some point.
Kari Tulinius says: “I’m not a Finn, but I live in Finland, and my sense of the national mood is that this is the first match that feels like a regular game of football. Before the opener, there was the sheer novelty of being at a major tournament. Emotionally, the second was entirely about the trauma of seeing Eriksen almost die. Today has felt almost normal, in comparison. The Eagle-Owls have already made their country proud, so let’s hope they can bring a little extra joy tonight.”
2 mins: It sounds like the majority of fans in the stadium are Finnish. Not a surprise as it’s quite an easy journey to Russia. It could work in their favour, not that the Finland team have had a touch so far.
Matt Burtz emails to say: “Clearly football is coming home (at least in the knowledge department), because here in the U.S. ESPN, who has the rights to the tournament, is airing this game on ESPN2, not the main ESPN. Not entirely sure why the powers that be think Russia-Denmark is more attractive, but in fairness we are somewhat football ignorant over here.”
Kick-off
Peep! Peep! Peep! Here we go!
Things I always forget: Shaun Maloney is on the Belgian coaching staff.
It looks like a decent atmosphere in St Petersburg. Let’s hope they have something to enjoy.
I am reliably informed that Finland players like to celebrate a victory with a beer and a sauna. Russia is probably a good place for that.
Finland head coach Markku Kanerva knows this game is going to be ruddy difficult.
“We have the biggest match in the history of Finnish football tomorrow (today),” Kanerva told a press conference. “The big dream that the team had to qualify from this group stage is in our own hands.
“It’s beautiful that we have this opportunity and we will do everything to make the dream happen.
“We still have a chance to win the group, it is completely in our own hands.”
For UK viewers, this match is on BBC One. The Beeb know this is the biggest game of the night, and they just had Jermaine Jenas presenting the One Show, so they know football and good TV.
Eden Hazard is not at his best, according to ... ermmmm ... Eden Hazard.
“I don’t think I’m yet at 100 per cent,” Hazard said. “I think I’m ready to start a game, but it’s always been in the pipeline from the beginning of the tournament, it was always to have this incremental approach.
“I’m going to play a little bit more each time until I hit that 100 per cent mark. We’ll see how long I can play for tomorrow.
“But I’m getting confident, my entourage as well. Things are going quite smoothly at the moment.”
It would be good for Finland to progress in their first Euros. Surely De Bruyne et al can be nice and let them win. We need this boost.
Jeremy Doku starts for Belgium today and I am very interested in seeing how he does. He is worth knowing about.
Of course you want more Sparv, as he’s such a nice chap.
Finland’s Euros will be remembered as the opponents when Cristian Eriksen collapsed. I spoke to Tim Sparv about that day.
Starting lineups
Finland: Hradecky; O’Shaughnessy, Arajuuri, Toivio; Uronen, Kamara, Lod, Sparv, Raitala; Pukki, Pohjanpalo
Subs: Joronen, Jaakkola, Väisänen, Taylor, Jensen, Schüller, Soiri, Alho, Kauko, Valakari, Ivanov, Forss
Belgium: Courtois; Vermaelen, Denayer, Boyata; Chadli, De Bruyne, Witsel, Trossard; Doku, Lukaku, Eden Hazard
Subs: Mignolet, Sels, Vertonghen, Tielemans, Carrasco, Mertens, Meunier, Vanaken, Dendoncker, Beteken, Batshuayi, Praet
Belgium are quite good at attacking.
Good evening!
Finland will go through to the knockout stages if they win here. They will also progress if they draw and Russia lose to Denmark. Then it all gets a bit messy as there are some complex permutations of how they could qualify a best third-placed side. Let’s just hope it all ends in a nice and simple fashion.
Good news for the Finns is that The Guardian’s Tim Sparv could return to their midfield after missing the last match. He had surgery in March on his knee and had not played competitively since the opener against Denmark. He is the country’s captain so his presence is vital for Finland.
Some might barely believe this but Belgium have not won in their last seven matches against the Finns. The last time the world’s No 1 side beat their Scandinavian rivals was back in 1968.
Belgium are through, which might normally mean relaxing for this game. Sadly, for Finland, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel all need to get minutes in their legs, so will be starting today. It will make things a lot harder for the Finns but nothing is ever easy at a Euros.
Let’s hope for a cracker.
Kick-off: 8pm BST
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