President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said that he thought that the Portuguese football team “played very well”, especially in the second half of the game against Belgium, but “we lacked that bit of luck “ to win in Seville, Spain.

The head of state was speaking to journalists at the end of the game between the Portuguese team, defending champions, who are now out, after losing 1-0 to Belgium, at the Estadio de La Cartuja, in Seville.

“We had some luck in 2016. In addition to playing well, we were lucky. Here [in Seville] we played well, especially in the second half, but we weren’t lucky. I’m sorry,” lamented Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

A goal from Thorgan Hazard, in the 42nd minute, sealed the triumph of the Belgium team who head the FIFA rankings.

“It wasn’t our night”, said Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa adding however that he would be congratulating the players of the national team and the head coach, Fernando Santos, for the “great game”.

The President recalled “three or four good missed opportunities “, but said that he did not feel disappointed because, “Portugal played well”.

“We were exceptional in this game. We had the talent but we didn’t have the luck”.

The President of the Republic did not go to Seville to watch the Portugal/Belgium match of Euro 2020, due to the epidemiological situation in Andalusia. Portugal was officially represented by the Minister of Education, Tiago Brandão Rodrigues.