Belgium manager Roberto Martinez says his team cannot afford to put too much focus on stopping Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal have a team full of quality players.
The Belgians take on Ronaldo and Co in Sunday's last-16 clash at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville knowing the veteran attacking is closing in yet another record.
Ronaldo is on the verge of becoming the all-time leading scoring in international football and if he scores against Belgium, the 36-year-old overtakes Ali Daei's tally of 109 goals.
He is Euro 2020's leading scoring with five goals from three matches, having already secured his status at the all-time European Championships top goal-getter with 14 strikes.
But Martinez wants his team to remember that the Portuguese are far from a one-man team and that they have “an incredible accumulation” of good players.
“When you put a plan against a player specifically, you could be hurt by other players,” he said. “Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo seems to be the player that gets the right moment, that right pass and the right chance and you have to be always aware, but you have to defend the 10 players of Portugal in the same measure.
"You know why this team has been successful, you know why this team has won the Euros and the Nations League. It’s because they’ve got an incredible mentality and they know how to play big games.”
As for Ronaldo, Martinez added: “We all know he’s one of the best footballers in the world. Every player adapts when you get a little bit older, you become a little more clinical with what you do.
"I think Cristiano Ronaldo knows how to use the space, he penetrates from different areas, he’s got an incredible aerial threat.”
Finland 0 Belgium 2: player ratings
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FINLAND RATINGS: Lukas Hradecky 7 - A clutch save against Hazard in the 64th minute denied what looked to be Belgium’s best chance of the game. Could probably be downgraded for the own goal but it was desperately unlucky. Couldn’t do anything about Lukaku’s strike. EPA -
Jere Uronen 6 - Dealt well with the majority of attacks down the flank but wasn’t too involved in attacks. AFP -
Daniel O'Shaughnessy 6 - Finland manager Markku Kanerva would have been keen to get O’Shaughnessy involved further up the field to utilise his giant throw abilities, but the Finnish side simply didn’t threaten enough in dangerous areas to create more than a single opportunity. EPA -
Paulus Arajuuri 7 - Worked hard on defence. Finland have a no-nonsense defender in Arajuuri who was prepared to put his body on the line for his country. EPA -
Joona Toivio 7 - Cut out a Lukaku pass destined for Eden Hazard inside the box and that was a theme throughout the game for Toivio who often got in the way of Belgian attacks. Great display. AFP -
Jukka Raitala 6 - Battled strongly in a matchup that saw the full-back tasked against Eden Hazard before the skillful Jeremy Doku. Gave a good account of himself. AFP -
Robin Lod 6 - Didn’t take enough care of the ball at times. AFP -
Tim Sparv 6 - Enforced proceedings well from the middle of the park but his work ethic looked to tire the midfielder out. Replaced on the hour mark by Schuller. AFP -
Glen Kamara 7 - Calm on the ball in moments of pressure. The Rangers man took the game in his stride and tried to get Finland moving in the right direction. Also read the play well to win possession back for his side. AFP -
Joel Pohjanpalo 5 - While the more mobile forward tried to work the channels, Pohjanpalo was unable to trouble a stubborn Belgium backline. Laid the ball off well for Glen Kamara who failed to generate enough power to trouble Courtois. AFP -
Teemu Pukki 5 - No service for the Finland frontman. The striker was too slow with the ball when receiving it in the box in the first half. Reuters -
SUB: Rasmus Schuller (Sparv, 59) 6 - Took reasonable care of the ball and tried to release teammates with long balls on a number of occasions, but it was a familiar task for the midfielder as Finland weathered constant pressure. AFP -
SUB: Joni Kauko (Pohjanpalo, 70) N/R - On for Pohjanpalo in the last 20. Unable to threaten the defence. Reuters -
SUB: Nikolai Alho (Uronen, 70) N/R - Got forward on the right-flank but the sight of Pukki against three Belgian centre-backs doesn’t make it easy to pick out an accurate cross. AFP -
SUB: Fredrik Jensen (Pukki, 90) N/R - Introduced for Pukki who had worked hard with little service throughout the game. EPA -
SUB: Marcus Forss (Lod, 90) N/R - On in the last moments, unsure if he even got to touch the ball. AFP -
BELGIUM RATINGS: Thibaut Courtois 6 - Largely a spectator throughout the game as Finland looked to play for a clean sheet and scuffed any opportunities presented to them. AFP -
Thomas Vermaelen 7 - A leaping header gave Belgium the opener when the ball cannoned back off the post, into the goalkeeper, and then back into the goal. AFP -
Jason Denayer 7 - Brought ball out of defence to break Finland’s forward press, but it was too easy for the Belgium back three on the night. His side's most active defender - dealt with everything comfortably. AFP -
Dedryck Boyata 6 - Kept shape well and organised from the middle of the back three. Not a great deal to do. AFP -
Nacer Chadli 6 - A lifted cross was overhit to miss Romelu Lukaku at the backpost which would have assisted the opener. Not much to do on defence with Finland attacks coming down the opposite flank for the majority of the game. AFP -
Axel Witsel 7 - Kept things ticking on a quiet day at the office. An audacious effort from range cleared the goal comfortably. AFP -
Kevin De Bruyne 7 - It was a case of third time lucky as Kevin de Bruyne found Lukaku three times to create big chances. The first two were offside, but Lukaku swivelled and struck home the third to give a deserved assist to the Belgian playmaker. AFP -
Leandro Trossard 7 - Positive play getting forward with Trossard playing similar to how he performs for Brighton. A good display before being withdrawn. AFP -
Eden Hazard 6 - Didn’t catch hold of a half-chance which rolled into the hands of the goalkeeper before a golden chance was squandered on his left foot. Regardless, tonight’s match will be helpful for Hazard’s return to match fitness. AFP -
Jeremy Doku 7 - Enjoyed himself on the pitch with plenty of dribbling but that wasn’t always to the benefit of his teammates. Still, the flamboyant midfielder didn’t have to worry with Belgium already qualified into the next stages. Unlucky not to pick up an assist. Reuters -
Romelu Lukaku 7 - Took his chances well when presented with the first being offside. A good finish by the forward who will be keen to hunt down the Golden Boot. AFP -
SUB: Thomas Meunier (Trossard, 76) N/R - Slotted in on the right side of midfield but didn’t get an opportunity to add to his Euro 2020 tally after scoring vs Russia. Reuters -
SUB: Michy Batshuayi (Doku, 76) N/R - Not able to get on the scoresheet in his cameo. AFP -
SUB: Christian Benteke (Lukaku, 84) N/R - Introduced for Lukaku with the game in control. Reuters -
SUB: Hans Vanaken (De Bruyne, 90) N/R - On for De Bruyne in the last minute of the game. AFP
But Belgium have there own world-class talent they can turn to for such a big occasion, from the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne to Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku – with the latter having already scored three goals in the group stage.
De Bruyne and Hazard, along with Axel Witsel, are back after gradually returning to action during the group matches following injuries.
The Red Devils, ranked No 1 in the world, have won 13 straight games, including three group games at Euro 2020 and all 10 qualifiers for the tournament.
“We are full of confidence, full of momentum,” Martinez said. “We look forward to seeing how we can improve and how much we can enjoy this occasion, because at the end of the day, it’s when we enjoy our football that we play at our best, and we need to do that.
"This is a special generation, it’s been committed to international football. We’ve been working a lot in becoming better.
"We’ve got six players with very close to 100 caps, two players very close to 90 caps. This is an exceptional generation. We are just trying to adapt to what’s going to be needed on Sunday and be as good as we can.”
