June 26 – Ukraine became the first ever team at a Euro finals to fail to progress from the group stage with four points after a 0-0 draw with Belgium, who once again failed to live up to either their talent or world ranking.
It was a cruel afternoon for a committed Ukraine so desperate to provide some joy for their nation under siege.
They were marginally the better side, showing more intensity and commitment than a Belgium team that at times were strangely stodgy and horribly wasteful in the final third.
Belgium qualify for the knockout round in second place but know they have to rapidly find a solution to their lack of goals. With Lukaku struggling to get on the pace they have found no plan b, no matter how brilliant Kevin de Bruyne is.
Belgium went into the final Group E encounter needing just a draw to guarantee qualification to the round of 16. Ukraine had to win if they were to progress. A win for Belgium would have seen them top the group and in the easier side of the knockout round bracket.
Romelu Lukaku failed to take chances
That proved to be another big opportunity missed by the Belgians. They now face France.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco had said that goals would come and he expected Romelu Lukaku to start scoring soon. Lukaku should have scored on six minutes.
Fed through by Belgium’s best player de Bryne, Lukaku scuffed his shot. It was Belgium best chance of the half.
Despite controlling early possession the Belgians struggled to threaten inside the box, while Ukraine were happy to cede possession but looked to cause damage on the counter attack.
It took 20 minutes for Ukraine to have their first shot in anger with Roman Yaremchuk’s shot from outside the box easily gathered by Koen Casteels. A minute later Artem Dovbyk did the same but dragged his shot wide.
The Ukranians were growing into the game and looking more likely to score than Belgium.
Heorhiy Sudavkov joined a counterattack but his shot went over the top. Yaremchuk…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/06/26/misfiring-belgium-squeeze-last-16-ukraine-exit-bravely/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-06-26 19:07:49
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