Thorgan Hazard's first-half strike was enough for Belgium to edge past the 2016 winners in a pragmatic and, at times, pulsating affair at Estadio La Cartuja.

The Czech Republic are also through after they upset 10-man The Netherlands 2-0 thanks to goals from Tomas Holes and Patrik Schick in the day's earlier game at Puskás Aréna in Budapest.

The titanic round-of-16 clash between Belgium, the world number one ranked team, and Portugal failed to live up to its billing until Hazard produced a rare moment of quality when his swerving effort from distance deceived goalkeeper Rui Patricio three minutes before half-time.

Belgium, whose so-called "golden generation" are under pressure to deliver the country's first major football title, survived wave after wave of Portuguese pressure in the second half.

Diogo Jota should have done better as his strike from inside the area flew over the crossbar, before Rueben Dias' header from a corner forced Thibaut Courtois into action in the Belgian goal.

Raphaël Guerreiro struck the post shortly after but Portugal could not find a way through as Belgium held on to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final against Italy in Munich on Friday (July 2).

After an even first half, the match between the Czech Republic and a highly-rated Dutch side sparked into life after the restart.

Donyell Malen surged through on goal but could not round goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík, and barely two minutes later his side were down to 10 men.

The Czech Republic broke and Matthijs de Ligt handled the ball to prevent what would have been a goalscoring opportunity for Schick.

De Ligt was initially booked but his yellow card was upgraded to red, handing the Czech Republic a superb chance to earn a shock victory.

It was one they seized in ruthless fashion as Holes headed home the opening goal after 66 minutes before turning provided for Schick, who coolly slotted the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg to send the Czech Republic through to a meeting with Denmark in Baku on Saturday (July 3).