The draw between Belgium and Ukraine leaves neither team entirely happy. Ukraine is eliminated and Belgium, as runners-up in Group E, will face France in the round of 16.
Ukraine woke up late and in the final quarter of an hour finally did everything they could to score the goal they needed to advance. By this point it was already clear that Slovakia and Romania, who had the same number of points but a better goal difference, would be content with a profitable draw.
Substitute Ruslan Malinowski came close to scoring the winning goal in the final minutes. First, his corner almost flew straight into the Belgian goal, then Timothy Castagne parried the Ukrainian midfielder’s shot. In injury time, Georgi Sudakow then aimed too centrally from a good eleven meters.
A little too late, Ukraine changed its tactics from counterattacks to possession. Sergei Rebrov’s team never came close to scoring from their secure defence. The Belgians controlled the game at a moderate pace and with practically no risk. Two or three strokes of genius from Kevin de Bruyne created some danger. Otherwise, the game was almost uneventful until the Ukrainians woke up.
Both teams did too little to deserve the win. The consequences are more painful for the Ukrainians. But Belgium would also have liked to avoid the duel against France on Monday in Düsseldorf with a win.
Telegram and table:
Ukraine – Belgium 0:0
Stuttgart. – 54,000 spectators. – Referee Taylor (ENG).
Ukraine: Trubin; Tymtschyk, Sabarni, Swatok (81. Yarmolenko), Matwilenko, Mykolenko (58. Sintschenko); Schaparenko (70. Wanat), Braschko (70. Stepanenko), Sudakow, Jaremtschuk (70. Malinowski), Dowbyk.
Belgium: Casteels; Vertonghen, Faes, Theate, Castagne; De Bruyne, Onana, Tielemans (62. Mangala); Doku (77. Bakayoko), Lukaku (90. Openda), Trossard (62. Carrasco).
Remarks: Ukraine complete. Belgium without Lukebakio (suspended), Meunier and Witsel (both injured). Warnings: 43. Faes. 69. Dowbyk.
1. Romania 3/4 (4:3). 2. Belgium 3/4 (2:1). 3. Slovakia 3/4 (3:3). 4. Ukraine 3/4 (2:4).
