It was clear from the match that one point would be enough for the Belgians to advance against Ukraine. The “Red Devils” did make offensive efforts, but they were mostly cautious and harmless. They lacked a quick move towards the opponent’s goal and a willingness to take risks. The aim was to prevent dangerous counterattacks.
These teams are in the round of 16
Open box
Box zuklappen
- Switzerland
- Spain
- Italy
- Portugal
- Deutschland
- France
- England
- Netherlands
- Austria
- Slovenia
- Denmark
- Belgium
- Slovakia
- Romania
- Georgia
- Türkiye
Domenico Tedesco’s team only became dangerous after the break in the 73rd minute. Yannick Carrasco’s long-range shot was stopped by Anatolii Trubin. The Belgians tried to follow up and maintain the threat, but ran into a counterattack. Artem Dovbyk did not finish it properly. Instead of looking for a cross pass, the striker dribbled the ball and lost it. Apparently, this was reason enough for the Belgians to prioritize defense again.
Legend:
Relief and consternation close together
The Belgians (light blue) are happy about their place in the round of 16, while the Ukrainians are disappointed after their elimination.
Keystone/Antonio Calanni
Passive Belgians almost punished
However, this strategy was dangerous. Because the parallel match between Romania and Slovakia ended 1:1, a goal conceded would have sealed Belgium’s exit. And the Ukrainians threw everything forward in the final phase, made offensive substitutions and, after a largely lackluster second half, vehemently sought the 1:0 in the final phase.
Dovbyk fired a first warning shot with a shot into the side netting in the 79th minute. A little later, Ruslan Malinovskiy almost duped Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels with a direct corner kick.
The game with fire ultimately worked for Belgium, although things got a bit heated in injury time. Georgiy Sudakov had a free shot in front of Casteels in the 91st minute, but shot straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. It was the last action of note in the match. Belgium trembled their way into the round of 16, but were booed by their own fans after the final whistle for their rather poor performance.
Few chances even before half-time
The first half, however, did not offer anything spectacular. There were only dangerous chances at the start of the game – Romelu Lukaku failed in the 7th minute when he was free in front of Trubin – and shortly before half-time, when Roman Yaremchuk got to the opponent’s goal but played an insufficient cross pass. The Belgians’ willingness to take risks did not change after the break.
This is how it continues
Belgium, as group runners-up, will face France in the round of 16 on July 1 in Düsseldorf (live on SRF from 6 p.m.). Ukraine, which like all other teams in Group E has 4 points, is eliminated due to the worst goal difference.
