The suspense is complete a few hours before the two meetings of this group E between Ukraine and Belgium and between the Slovakia and the Romania. Four nations which total three points each before this last group match. The summary is simple: all the teams can still claim first place but also the last which will not ensure qualification unlike the 3 other places which will give access to the round of 16 of this Euro 2024. However, let us not take out our calculators, the Devils must at least take a point this evening in Stuttgart to be assured of being qualified. But Belgium’s victory must take precedence in this meeting against a very affordable opponent for the Devils.
Almost all the major nations in European football have managed to get through the first round. However, this was a close call as for Italy and even without shining for England. The only nation currently missing is the Croatiaalready returned to the country.
Is Belgium qualified for Euro 2024?
Our Red Devils have not yet validated their ticket, the fault of a failed start to the tournament with a defeat against the Slovakia (0-1) and especially to the bad luck of Romelu Lukaku who saw two goals disallowed during the same match after two VAR interventions. In front of the Romania (2-0 victory), another goal from Big Rom’ was refused, for a question of centimeters.
Euro 2024: the Red Devils must win their group more than ever to avoid France and open the way… to the semi-finals
At a press conference this week before this decisive match against Ukraine, the Rennes defender Arthur Theate did not hesitate to praise the merits of Romelu Lukaku in our coach’s squad Domenico Tedesco : “He’s a very important player for us, he creates a lot of chances, a lot of space, if he continues like this, I’m sure he will score a lot of goals.”
The 31-year-old Belgian striker, who still belongs to Chelsea, had also established a new European record with 14 goals during qualifying for Euro 2024 but has not scored again in the final phase of an international competition, Euro or World Cup, since the previous European Championship, in 2021.
What are the predictions for Ukraine – Belgium?
We do not want to play chauvinists but we see a victory for the Belgium facing theUkraine this Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. in Stuttgart! If the first match against Slovakia was very disappointing in terms of the result (0-1 defeat) as well as in terms of the game content offered, the Red Devils still proved that they knew how to create (a lot) of opportunities and even score goals (later canceled by the video assistance) without being good in the game.
Against Romania, Belgium managed to show a better face without convincing all observers of the talent that our nation possesses. However, the Devils again created (many) chances and were more effective (2-0 victory with goals from Youri Tielemans et Kevin De Bruyne) with two valid goals but still one goal disallowed for Lukaku.
Our Devils seem (very slowly, it must be written) to gain power in this Euro 2024 in Germany and we dare to think that the content proposed against Ukraine could only be better compared to the two previous matches in this competition. The desire to put all the chances on our side to finish in first place in the group must be in the head of each player and, on paper as in fact, Belgium must necessarily win against a nation like Ukraine which is weaker.
For our consultant Alexandre Teklak, the offensive but also defensive animation of the flanks will be decisive in this third group match.
Ukraine is not in great shape in this Euro. After being swept aside in the first match by Romania (3-0 defeat), the Ukrainians went for a hard-fought victory against Slovakia (1-2) that Serhiy Rebrov’s men went for in the second half thanks to Chapraenko in the 54th and Yaremchouk in the 80th. For the rest, the Slovaks created more opportunities than the Ukrainians and sometimes lacked precision and chances to get back into the game.
So we see a victory for Belgium against Ukraine this Wednesday!
Ukraine’s strengths and weaknesses
This Ukrainian team has been quite stable for a few years now and is built around real sure values like The moon, Zinchenko or Mudryk. Their qualification indeed demonstrates all the determination of Ukrainian players whose country, it must not be forgotten, has been at war for over two years now. Many of these players have already found a club abroad… Ukraine showed itself to be ultra solid during the play-offs to access Euro 2024. But beyond the strength of the squad, there is also beautiful individuals too. More than in the past in fact.
Ukraine-Belgium: Meunier and Lukebakio train before the match, Witsel just runs
There remains probably one black spot which is the defense. Lunin, Courtois’ understudy at Real Madrid, did not reassure during the first match and was therefore simply replaced by Trubin for the second match against Slovakia.
The strengths and weaknesses of Belgium
In Qatar, during the 2022 World Cup, the Belgium had presented itself with the most experienced team on the world stage.
With only Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, Thibaut Courtois and Dries Mertens, in addition to Jan Vertonghen, Axel WitselRomelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, who will still be present at the Euro in Germany, the eight Red Devils alone had nearly 850 caps. For comparison, there are a total of 965 caps in the group of 25 that Domenico Tedesco will take to Germany – 900 if we remove Meunier.
On this subject, the return of Witsel at the last moment with Belgium necessarily raises the score, for a group whose experience of major tournaments will be especially worth it by Vertonghen, Witsel, De Bruyne and Lukaku (22 Cup matches, each of the world and Euro combined), to which can be added Carrasco (14) et Tielemans (11) – Meunier (17) is very uncertain, even close to the forfeit.
Domenico Tedesco will discover what a big tournament is, at 38 years old. The German-Italian technician will not be the only one, among the first or second-tier nations, to lead a selection on such an exposed stage for the first time, since the German Julian Naggelsmann, younger (36 years old), and the Dutchman Ronald Koeman (61) will also be in the case.
Where to watch the Belgium-Ukraine match live?
The RTBF is the TV appointment to watch all the matches of the Belgian selection and Euro 2024 in general. The French will be able to admire the prowess of our Red Devils on beIN Sports 1.
Experience the sensations of a giant screen with other supporters
Do you prefer the atmosphere of a crowd of Belgian supporters gathered together? Discover our list of giant screens in Brussels and Wallonia.
On site, in Germany, in the Stuttgart Arena
Fans of Belgium and Ukraine who follow Euro 2024 live in the stadiums will have the chance to discover the Stuttgart Arena, which can accommodate less than 50,000 spectators.
