New Delhi: Ukraine and Belgium went into the final matchday knowing that a draw wouldn’t be sufficient for both teams to qualify for the next round if Slovakia and Romania also draw their game. Ultimately, that’s exactly what happened as a 0-0 draw at Stuttgart and a 1-1 draw between Romania and Slovakia meant that Ukraine finished bottom of their group, being the only team from Group E to not qualify for the knockouts.
Ukraine had a great core of players that they brought along in the competition but a shocking 3-0 defeat in their first game against Romania proved to be extremely damaging to their goal difference and that proved to be the difference ultimately as they got knocked out due to their inferior goal difference.
Belgium also started their campaign with a shocking loss as they were humiliated 1-0 by Slovakia but the fact that they only conceded one goal in the group stages helped them propel to second in the group. Even though Belgium are through to the next round, their performances have not been up to par and it’s cause of that they will now face France in the last 16.
The game between Ukraine and Belgium was a must-win game for either side as a win would’ve seen them top the group which would’ve provided them with an easier fixture in the last 16. Belgium looked to create a few chances but once again failed to convert those chances while Ukraine bombarded everyone forward towards the end but couldn’t find that elusive goal and crashed out.
1) Romelu Lukaku draws a blank in the group stages
Romelu Lukaku has had a forgettable tournament so far (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku has been Belgium’s main striker ever since he broke onto the stage in world football. The 31-year-old is his country’s all-time top scorer with 85 goals for the country, scoring more than legendary players like Eden Hazard and Marc Wilmots. With those numbers backing him, there were huge expectations from the big man that he’d lead the line by example for Domenico Tedesco’s men but that wasn’t the case.
Lukaku had the ball in the back of the net thrice but was correctly ruled out by VAR every time and that was his story throughout the group stages. Even against Ukraine, the big Belgian missed a sitter that would’ve given his side an early lead and failed to convert other chances for his side as well. He was subbed off with only added time remaining, which meant he ended the group stages without a goal.
This marks his first UEFA Euro campaign where the Belgian has failed to score in the group stages of the tournament as he scored twice in the group stages of the 2016 edition and scored thrice at UEFA Euro 2020. If Belgium are to overcome France in the next round, they need Lukaku firing on all cylinders.
2) Ukraine’s untimely injuries prove costly
Mykhaylo Mudryk and Victor Tsyhankov both missed this crucial game (Photo by Jan Fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
Ukraine were without both of their first-choice wingers for this crucial tie against Belgium as both Mykhalio Mudryk and Victor Tsyhankov were ruled out of the game due to their injuries. Manager Serhiy Rebrov had to change his formation to adjust to the injuries presented in front of him and a new system couldn’t bring him the desired result.
Facing a Belgian side who had Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, and Theate in defence, none of who are known for their pace, both Mudryk and Tsyhankov could’ve wreaked havoc for Ukraine had they been on the pitch for such a crucial game. While neither had scored in the tournament for Ukraine, Mudryk in particular had been pivotal in his side’s win against Slovakia as he played a major role in his side’s winner. Had Rebrov had these two key players in his side, it might’ve been a different result for them.
3) Belgium’s defence shone where their attack failed
Belgium’s defence helped them out of the group ( Photo by Peter De Voecht / Photo News via Getty Images)
Belgium’s golden generation was insanely talented, containing quality players in attack and defence with the likes of Vincent Kompany, Toby Alderwiereld, Eden Hazard, and Moussa Dembele but they have always been a side known more for their attack rather than their defence.
Even in their current squad, Belgium’s attack has a lot of quality and bigger names like Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne alongside Romelu Lukaku and their defence looked much weaker in comparison. Their defence is filled with slow players, lacking a big name leading a line, and didn’t have the experience of Thibaut Courtois.
However, the reason Belgium advanced to the next round is because their defence had been rock solid in the group stages. They haven’t conceded a goal since the 7th minute of the first game against Slovakia and that was the key for them as they only scored in one of their three games in the group stages. For a team that is known for its attack, it’s defence stepped up right when they needed them to.
Ukraine and Belgium played out an uneventful 0-0 draw in Stuttgart as Ukraine crash out at the group stages while Belgium qualify as the runners up. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
