Finland 0-2 Belgium – Euro 2020: Romelu Lukaku strike makes him joint top scorer

Hearts sank but none more so than Lukas Hradecky’s. How cruel for Finland. Even crueller for their goalkeeper. He had thwarted everything Belgium threw his way. He marshalled the back five, coached them through this gargantuan effort to stop Roberto Martinez’s globetrotters.

But then, with 16 minutes left, Thomas Vermaelen’s header from a corner clinked off a post, brushing Hradecky’s glove and falling agonisingly over the line. Those moments only ever occur in slow motion and with that, Finland were almost certainly out of their first European Championship.

There is no great surprise in that conclusion to this group but the dramatic end – with the Scandinavians second in the group for so long on Monday night – is so painful. Mathematically they are still in this and will anxiously watch the other groups praying for a miracle, yet finishing on three points and with a goal difference of minus two will surely not be enough.

Romelu Lukaku fires home Belgium’s second goal against Finland in a 2-0 victory for his side

Lukaku is now Euro 2020’s joint top scorer with three goals from as many games

But Belgium’s victory in Saint Petersburg has all but dumped Finland out of the competition

Finland must now hope that Romelu Lukaku’s predatory strike eight minutes after the own goal does not prove decisive. Regardless of what transpires now, there is pride in how they went about trying to squeeze through.

‘I feel empty,’ said manager Markku Kanerva. ‘I’m extremely proud about how well and how fearlessly they have played. The fans stayed at the stadium, thanking the team, and they have inspired us. I don’t know how many people thought we’d have a chance of qualifying going into the last game.’

Belgium were already through and it was an evening Roberto Martinez could rotate his squad, making eight changes, and crucially affording some key protagonists much-needed minutes in the legs. Martinez must believe that they can steadily improve as this tournament goes on and peak at the right time.

That is easier when the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel are available. The trio have endured differing injury issues – Witsel’s the longest, since January – and none were match fit on arrival. Hazard had not completed a full 90 minutes since November. Their inclusions were the major positives to take away from this final game of a group Belgium had already successfully navigated.

‘To be able to see full games for Axel and Eden was very satisfying,’ Martinez said. ‘I’m not worried about Eden at all. He pushed himself, got himself in good positions. He looked free. He feels strong, happy and the next aspect is to see that final pass and shot from him.’ 

Thomas Vermaelen helped make the breakthrough in the second half with his header

The defender’s effort bounced off the woodwork and off the goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky

Hradecky could not prevent the ball from creeping over the goal line for Belgium’s opener

Vermaelen celebrates his strike having been drafted into the side for the final group game

Martinez was hoarse afterwards, although so comfortable with Belgium’s progression that he jokingly offered to deliver his media commitments in sign language. It will be a third-placed team awaiting them in Seville on Sunday, a sizeable and welcome stretch of rest time given the constant travelling they have been undertaking.

Belgium have been in and out of Saint Petersburg and their spells in Russia have resembled something of a short city break so perhaps it is unsurprising that this had the feel of a glorified walking tour.

De Bruyne stood still in his attempts to dictate the tempo – something Pep Guardiola preaches to his creators at Manchester City – and Belgium waited patiently for the moment to explode. One pass serves as the detonator with Lukaku’s movement making him one of the most feared strikers in Europe these days. That was evidenced by the late clinching goal, but also earlier in the second half when his big toe strayed offside.

De Bruyne had started occupying awkward positions for the Finnish defenders to contend with, threading the needle for Lukaku. The target man took one touch to control, a second to sweep past Hradecky, only to look dumbfounded moments later when the VAR lines – drawn thicker at Euro 2020 – called him off.

MATCH FACTS AND STANDINGS 

Finland (3-5-2): Hradecky, Raitala, Toivio, Arajuuri, O’Shaughnessy, Uronen (Alho 70), Lod (Forss 90+1), Sparv (Schuller 59), Kamara, Pohjanpalo (Kauko 70), Pukki (Jensen 90+1)

Subs not used: Vaisanen, Taylor, Joronen, Soiri, Jaakkola, Valakari, Ivanov.

Belgium (3-4-3): Courtois, Boyata, Denayer, Vermaelen, Trossard (Meunier 75), De Bruyne (Vanaken 90+1), Witsel, Chadli, Doku (Batshuayi 76), Eden Hazard, Lukaku (Benteke 84).

Subs not used: Vertonghen, Tielemans, Carrasco, Mignolet, Sels, Mertens, Dendoncker, Praet

Goals:  Hradecky (og) 74, Lukaku 81

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

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Belgium dominated for much of the game with Lukaku dragging just wide early in the match

Finland defended desperately as they sought the point that would secure a last-16 spot 

Hradecky had thwarted Lukaku on a couple of occasions and competed two fine saves from the lively Rennes winger Jeremy Doku and Hazard. Both had cut in off their flanks and both saw attempts tipped away with strong wrists.

‘Neutral’ Russian supporters inside the Gazprom Arena met news that Denmark were leading in Copenhagen grimly, while it understandably buoyed Finland, whose bench were being kept abreast of the other match. Glen Kamara registered their only shot on target just after the hour as confidence grew on a sticky, muggy evening. Kanerva’s side were rigid, a blanket thrown over his central defenders as they crowded Lukaku and remained vigilant of others around him.

‘When Denmark were leading 2-1 we went forward,’ Kanerva added. ‘We were considering if we needed to score or not. It’s difficult to create against these teams but that is the next step for us.’

Disaster eventually struck. De Bruyne’s corner was not dealt with properly, Vermaelen rising to head into a post and Hradecky just could not react in time before Lukaku made sure Belgium preserved their 100 per cent record with sublime nous and movement for which he is now famed.

Getting back to full fitness, Kevin de Bruyne was a constant threat for Belgium

Lukaku had been denied the opening goal after a very tight offside call went against him

Belgium players celebrate finishing top of Group B with a perfect record of nine points

Belgium will be looking to complete a perfect group stage with a third straight victory when they face Finland in St Petersburg.

Roberto Martinez’s side are already through to the last-16 and if they avoid defeat in the 8pm BST kick-off are certain to progress as group winners.

Finland in their first ever major tournament will hope to join them in the knockout stages, but must win to guarantee their progression.

Follow Sportsmail’s DAN RIPLEY for live Euro 2020 coverage of Finland vs Belgium, including build-up, team news and scoreline. 

Elsewhere, Group B rivals Russia and Denmark are also in action, which we will keep you up-to-date with.