Ukraine at Euros

Belgium narrowly made it through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, qualifying second behind Romania in a tight Group E that finished with all four teams on four points.

Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia was enough for both teams to reach the round of 16, with the Slovaks qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams.

It was a heartbreaking end to the tournament for Ukraine, which exits Euro 2024 after finishing bottom of the group, despite picking up more points than some of the teams that qualified third from other groups.

It is the first time in European Championship history that a team has won four points and finished bottom.

Belgium’s failure to top Group E, however, means the Red Devils now face the daunting task of taking on France in the round of 16.

If Belgium plays as it has done so far this tournament, few people will give the team a chance against France.

It was another sluggish, disjointed performance from Domenico Tedesco’s side, who rarely troubled Ukraine throughout the clash.

Belgium dominated possession for the opening 20 minutes, the team conducted by captain and star man Kevin De Bruyne in midfield, though the Red Devils were unable to really test Anatoliy Trubin in the Ukraine goal.

Ukraine manager Serhiy Rebrov had made the bold call to drop both Oleksandr Zinchenko and captain Andriy Yarmolenko, while he was also without injured Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk.

Perhaps their replacements just needed time to find their feet as Ukraine burst to life halfway through the first half and began to put Belgium under sustained pressure.

Roman Yaremchuk fired a shot from range which stung the palms of Koen Casteels, before Artem Dobvik disappointingly dragged his shot wide from the edge of the area.