Stuttgart, (UNI) In a tense and closely contested match at Mercedes-Benz Arena here on Wednesday, Belgium clinched their place in the round of 16 of EURO 2024 despite a goalless draw against Ukraine.
The stakes were high for both teams entering the game, as they were level on points and needed a victory to ensure progression in the tournament.
Belgium started brightly with captain Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating their attacks. Early on, De Bruyne’s incisive pass found Romelu Lukaku, whose shot was comfortably saved by Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. De Bruyne himself came close to breaking the deadlock with a cheeky free-kick that narrowly missed the target, keeping the Ukrainian defense on edge.
In the second half, Belgium continued to dominate possession, probing for openings while Ukraine defended resolutely. Lukaku and Yannick Carrasco tested Trubin with powerful strikes, but the Ukrainian keeper was up to the challenge each time. Ukraine, needing a win to progress, launched a late offensive, introducing fresh legs and pushing forward in search of a decisive goal.
The closest Ukraine came to scoring was through substitute Artem Dovbyk, who found himself with a clear chance near the end but could only fire into the side netting. Despite their late efforts, Ukraine couldn’t breach Belgium’s defense, ultimately sealing their fate in the tournament.
The draw, coupled with the result of the Slovakia versus Romania match in the same group, saw Belgium secure their place in the round of 16 as Group E runners-up. For Ukraine, it marked the end of their EURO 2024 campaign, characterised by promising performances but ultimately marred by inconsistency.
Belgium, known for their attacking prowess, will now turn their focus to the knockout stage, where they are set to face France in Dusseldorf on July 1. The encounter promises to be a thrilling continuation of Belgium’s quest for European glory, as they look to build on their past successes in the competition.
