Euro 2020: Gutted Portugal players shed tears in the changing rooms after their 1-0 loss against Belgium

After their 1-0 loss against Belgium in the Round of 16 match at Seville, Portugal’s coach Fernando Santos said that it should have been them who advanced after dominating much of the game.

Portugal’s players cried in the changing rooms after their 0 elimination from the Euros by Belgium on Sunday. Thorgan Hazard’s long-range rocket shot in the 42nd minute that won the game.

“The ball would just not go in,” said Santos in the post match press conference.

“We feel very disappointed and sad. Players are crying in the changing rooms, as many Portuguese will be.”

“The players gave everything they had to give, worked hard. But that’s football. They (Belgium) made six shots, one on goal and scored one goal, we had 24 shots and hit the post,” he added.

Portugal began brightly and Diogo Jota wasted a great chance in the sixth minute, dragging his shot wide. He also missed another effort after the break, volleying over the bar from close range, while captain Cristiano Ronaldo came close with a free kick.

We all wanted it. We believed and had confidence in our abilities,” Santos said. “We knew that if we won this one we would win out there. We were convinced that we could reach the final and win,” said Santos.

“In football there is no justice and injustice, there are those who score and those who do not score. We conceded a goal and couldn’t score.”

“My players did everything to bring great joy to the Portuguese people – we did not win, but we deserved to win,” he signed off.

Cristiano Ronaldo threw his captain’s armband to the ground in despair after the final whistle, is still one goal shy of becoming the all-time men’s top scorer in international soccer. He came into the match tied with former Iran striker Ali Daei at 109 goals.

Belgium, which has never before won a major soccer title, will next face Italy on Friday in Munich.