Belgium failed to win against Ukraine (0-0) on Wednesday in Stuttgart for its last group match. The Red Devils therefore finish second in group C, and they will therefore face the French team in the round of 16. Ukraine, for its part, is eliminated. In the other meeting of Group E, Slovakia and Romania also drew (1-1), and with four points on the clock they are therefore qualified for the knockout phase.
Published on: 06/26/2024 – 7:54 p.m. Modified on: 06/26/2024 – 8:44 p.m.
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Belgium missed the opportunity to finish first in Group E of Euro 2024. Against Ukraine, the Red Devils could not find the fault (0-0). They will therefore face the France team in the round of 16. The Ukrainians are, for their part, eliminated.
The meeting begins with several minutes of observation between the two selections. Belgium seems more comfortable technically, especially Kevin de Bruyne. The captain of the Red Devils found Romelu Lukaku in depth, the Belgian striker followed up with a crushed shot that Anatoliy Trubin easily captured (7th). Apart from this occasion, Belgium’s offensive movements lacked precision during the first quarter of an hour.
The match, rather calm, begins to liven up in a few minutes. First on an initiative from Roman Yaremchuk, author of a powerful strike from 25 meters captured by Koen Casteels (20th). In the process, following a loss of the ball by Wout Faes, Ukraine attempted a counter-attack concluded by an off-target shot from Artem Dovbyk (21st). Belgian defender Arthur Theate also tries a long shot, but it ends up wide of Anatoliy Trubin’s cage (23rd).
Also read: Find the complete ranking of group E
At this point in the match, Slovakia has just opened the score against Romania in the other Group E match. Which means that as it stands, there would be a France – Belgium match in the round of 16. But we’re not there yet, and the Red Devils have an interesting free kick to play (33rd): Kevin De Bruyne shoots it directly, but the ball slips narrowly out of the goal and the Ukrainian goalkeeper seemed to be on the fence. path. In the process, Georgiy Sudakov tries to create danger, but Koen Casteels is still there to stop his shot (34th).
Belgium is struggling to convince in this first act, and Ukraine is on the verge of surprising them with this action. Roman Yaremchuk is served in a striking position in the Belgian area, and rather than finishing, he decides to serve Artem Dovbyk in the middle… but his pass is too powerful (42nd). Kevin De Bruyne has a chance to strike, but his curl ends in the gloves of Anatoliy Trubin (45th). In the other match, Romania equalized – and at the same time Belgium remains the Blues’ potential future opponent.
A few opportunities without materializing
After the break, the Red Devils camped in the opponent’s 30-meter line but could not find the gap that would lead to an opportunity. On a nice move initiated by Kevin De Bruyne, Jérémy Doku overflowed on his wing and crossed hard towards Romelu Lukaku. But the Belgian striker could not receive the ball (58th). As in the first half, Belgium struggled to exist in this second act, and the clock continued to tick.
On a loss of the Ukrainian ball in midfield, Kevin de Bruyne throws Romelu Lukaku deep, who stares at his opposite number and fires a soft shot at ground level that Anatoliy Trubin catches without worry (65th). The Red Devils finally bring a thrill to the Stuttgart stadium through Yannick Carrasco who, after a relay with Romelu Lukaku, lands a dry strike at the edge of the Ukrainian area. Anatoliy Trubin pushes back his fists but had to work hard on this one (73rd).
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The Ukrainians try to open the score, but Koen Casteels watches over this dangerous corner (83rd). Belgium is not to be outdone, but it lacks precision (86th). There is an air of knockout in these last minutes. Georgiy Sudakov attempts a rush alone in the Spanish defense, with a finishing shot saved by the Belgian goalkeeper (90th + 1). The match ends there, so it will be France – Belgium on July 1st.
Romania and Slovakia in the round of 16
Slovakia and Romania have qualified for the round of 16 after their 1-1 draw on the third and final day of Group E of Euro 2024, on Wednesday in Frankfurt.
Romania leads the group with 4 points, ahead of the two other qualified teams in the group, Belgium and Slovakia, who also have 4 points and were decided according to the criteria set by UEFA.
