An unimpressive Belgium will be forced to face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 after being held to a 0-0 draw by a battling Ukraine side in Stuttgart.
Despite earning a deserved point from a tense battle, Ukraine go out of the tournament after finishing bottom of Group E, where all four teams finished with four points after Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 in Frankfurt.
In a match of few chances, Ukraine almost won it in added time when Georgiy Sudakov produced a brilliant run, but his finish was straight into the arms of Belgium keeper Koen Casteels.
Casteels was also forced to claw out a corner by sub Ruslan Malinovskyi that almost creeped in at the near post on 82 minutes.
Romania go through as group winners with Belgium finishing second and Slovakia progressing as one of the best third-placed teams at the finals.
Player of the Match: Georgiy Sudakov (Ukraine)
The young Shakhtar midfielder was a bundle of energy at the heart of his country’s midfield with his obvious quality helping Ukraine to trouble a disjointed Belgian side the longer the match wore on. Unlucky not to win it late on with a brilliant surging run and shot that was held by a grateful goalkeeper Casteels.
Player Ratings
Ukraine: Trubin 7, Svatok 7, Yaremchuk 7, Dovbyk 7, Zabarnyi 8, Sudakov 8, Mykolenko 7, Brazhko 7, Shaparenko 7, Matviyenko 7, Tymchyk 7 Subs: Yarmolenko 6, Zinchenko 6, Stepanenko 6, Vanat 6, Malinovskyi 6
Belgium: Casteels 7, Theate 7, Faes 7, Vertonghen 6, De Bruyne 7, Tielemans 7, Trossard 6, Lukaku 6, Castagne 7, Doku 6, Onana 6 Subs: Mangala 6, Openda 6, Bakayoko 6, Carrasco 6
Match Highlights
8′ GREAT LITTLE PASS BY DE BRUYNE Looking to set up Lukaku on the run after a probing pass, but he can’t get enough pace on the shot and it is an easy enough stop in the end for Trubin.
43′ GOLDEN CHANCE FOR UKRAINE Really finding some joy every time they attack that Belgium box as Yaremchuk just overhits a pass across the face of goal looking for Dovbyk to tap in. Probably should have tried the shot as Belgium survive.
74′ TRUBIN TO THE RESCUE FOR UKRAINE The goalkeeper showing his quality to beat out an effort by Yannick Carrasco that was travelling before Belgium do well to thwart the threat of Artem Dovbyk at the other end. Wout Faes mindful at the back.
82′ BELGIUM LIVING ON THE EDGE Koen Casteels doing just enough to claw out the corner by sub Ruslan Malinovskyi at his near post. That was heading into the net. FIne stop in the end.
89′ HEADING FOR FOUR ADDED MINUTES This match so tight and tense as Georgiy Sudakov produces a brilliant run, but the finish is not there as he side foots the ball into the arms of Casteels. One goal will win it now.