Ukraine – Belgium 0:0 (0:0)
Belgium has advanced to the round of 16 of the European Football Championship. The Belgians, coached by former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco, were satisfied with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine after another poor performance in Stuttgart.
Belgium started the match in a dominant manner. When the team became dangerous in front of goal, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne was usually involved. In the seventh minute he passed to Romelu Lukaku, but the powerful attacker was stopped by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin. Lukaku is still waiting for his first tournament goal after his third European Championship match. In the first two group matches, the 31-year-old had three goals disallowed.
From the middle of the first half, the Ukrainians, who had to do without the injured Mychaylo Mudryk from Chelsea FC, also ventured forward more often. Sometimes they played their attacks too sloppily, sometimes too hastily. A long-range shot from Roman Yaremchuk was saved by VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels (20′).
Even after the break, neither team initially increased the risk. The Belgians had more possession of the ball. However, they remained weak in attack. In the final phase, Ukraine had the best chance of the game when a corner kick taken directly at goal was just cleared on the line. The Ukrainians then continued to press for the goal they desperately needed, but also missed the best scoring opportunities.
With the draw against the Ukrainians, Belgium moves into the round of 16 as group runners-up. In the first knockout round, they will face France in Düsseldorf on Monday. Ukraine, on the other hand, are eliminated as last in Group E with four points.
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Slovakia – Romania 1:1 (1:1)
Romania and Slovakia have both qualified for the round of 16. In their direct duel in Frankfurt am Main, the two nations drew 1:1 (1:1). It was already clear before the match: a draw was enough for both teams to advance to the round of 16.
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In the run-up to the match, both teams wanted to know nothing about this strange constellation. “We are professionals. We know that a draw could help us to advance. But that doesn’t mean anything,” said Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona. Romania coach Edward Iordănescu said: “We will play to advance and want to finish this group in first place. Then you have a certain advantage in terms of recovery days and the opponent.”
The teams confirmed this on the field: Both teams played boldly forward in the opening phase. Driven by the many loud Romanian fans, Andrei Rațiu had the first chance. However, Martin Dúbravka in the Slovakian goal was able to parry the shot from the man with the distinctive blue hair. The Slovakians then also became dangerous offensively and took the lead shortly afterwards through former Bundesliga professional Ondrej Duda (24th minute).
In the 34th minute, Slovakian defender Dávid Hancko fouled Ianis Hagi on the edge of the penalty area. The German referee Daniel Siebert initially awarded a free kick. After a video assistant review, the 40-year-old then pointed to the penalty spot. Răzvan Marin (37th) equalized for Romania with a penalty.
At the start of the second half, both teams remained courageous and played for the win. Romania’s goal scorer Marin was denied by Dúbravka with a long-range shot, and a few moments later Denis Drăguș shot just wide of the goal.
As surprise group winners, the Romanians will now face Slovenia or the Netherlands in the round of 16. Slovakia, on the other hand, will not have it easy: they will face Spain or England in the knockout round.
Belgium has advanced to the round of 16 of the European Football Championship. The Belgians, coached by former Bundesliga coach Domenico Tedesco, were satisfied with a 0-0 draw against Ukraine after another poor performance in Stuttgart.
Belgium started the match in a dominant manner. When the team became dangerous in front of goal, Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne was usually involved. In the seventh minute he passed to Romelu Lukaku, but the powerful attacker was stopped by Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolij Trubin. Lukaku is still waiting for his first tournament goal after his third European Championship match. In the first two group matches, the 31-year-old had three goals disallowed.
