PORTUGAL VS WALES EURO 2016 SEMI FINALS [R]

Vertongen out for the rest of the Euros, huge blow for Belgium as it weakens their already vulnerable defense and now their unbalanced midfield will be even more problematic against Wales.

Still, their attack is frightening.

 

So far Belgium look beatable in the back, but their build up play is tremendous. And they have real scorers.

On a side note, how is Hazard the captain????

 

And Curtois is ridiculously good...

 

Like I just said, they are beatable at the back. Lukaku looks talented, but he's a liability. Their CB's are only OK.

And now Curtois saves them from being 2-1 down...

 

Belgium's Achilles heel is their defense. They have an explosive offense and a good goalie, but that defense can be exploited.

 

If they play Portugal they won't be attacking at will. It will be another Croatia game. They will be looking for spots were they can capitalize on Portugal. Portugal's midfield can exploit that defense.

 

Portugal gets so much crap for not playing "beautiful" enough even when it outshoots an opponent 27-4 yet these teams are lauded even though it looks like they're defending down four men.

 

I was just thinking this. How 'boring' the match was vs Croatia. But 2 goal on atrocious defending is a 'spectacle'

 

HOly cow the Belgium defense of corners is abysmal. Too bad we're terrible at crossing.
But I don't even know if they'll be able to beat Wales.
Wales seems to know exactly how to play Belgium. Running rings around them.

 

End of half. Wales might have blown a chance there. They should have been 3-1 up.
Belgium so far playing to stereotype - lots of individual talent but were completely outplayed by the Welsh.
Their MF is not containing Wales in the least. Very fragile defensive line between MF and defensive line. I think Hungary also had a ton of chances against them while the score was 1-0.

 

This is fun to watch, but it's just the other end of the spectrum as far as style of play goes. If someone wants to say this is the "right" way to play that's fine, but I say it looks like a July exhibition match in which both teams are actually playing hard.

I think the last thing Belgium wants to see in the semis (if it gets there) is an underdog Portugal that's overdue for some deserved goals.

 

Steve McManaman just went off on Belgium in a pretty accurate way. He said they just want to win playing pretty and that they don't want to have to work for it. Harsh? Maybe. But it's entertaining to see Belgium get trashed by analysts for playing how they all say they want Portugal to try to play.

 

Wales have utilized the strengths of their top players to perfection.

Belgium, everything thats been wrong with that team for the past few years has come to the forefront:

-Lack of balance in midfield so the opposition gets ton of space in between the lines, and very little tactical or positional awareness

-extremely average defense

Courtois with a magnificent save

 

Maybe. Wales clearly (from qualies probably) know how to play Belgium. Ramsey and Bale are having so much time in the midfield to pick passes and run free.
If Belgium doesn't tighten that MF (and do a quick "Defending Corners 101" session during half-time) we're going to be facing Wales in the semis...

 

It'll be interesting to see how the second half goes. Does Belgium change anything? Will both teams continue to go for it, or will this game lose steam like most of these matches do in the second half.

 

Ahahah. 2-1.

Belgium CB humiliated by some guy I think they just said plays in the lower divisions in England. lol.

 

Wales completely dominating. Playing great team soccer.

 

Ramsey gets the yellow and can't play the semis. #Huge.
I think I now know who I want to play.

 

Bring on the Welsh

 

Wales 3rd!!!
Unbelievable.
I love it.

 

Ronaldo is probably annoyed he doesn't get a shot at this terrible, terrible Belgium defense.
That CF had acres of space for that header.