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Belgium limp into Euro 2024 meeting with France as brave Ukraine bow out

26 June 2024 , 17:54
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Belgium will play France in the last-16 (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Belgium will play France in the last-16 (Image: UEFA via Getty Images)

Belgium face a last-16 showdown with France at Euro 2024 after they put in a limp performance against Ukraine.

Domenico Tedesco's side finish second in a Group E that ends with all four sides level on four points, with Ukraine effectively eliminated as a result of their 3-0 defeat to Romania on Matchday 1. Romania win the group with Slovakia third.

Sergiy Rebrov's side pushed for a winner in Stuttgart with Aretm Dovbyk going close on several occasions, but Belgium held on to advance.

Ukraine's players and manager Rebrov have repeatedly stated how they want to use their presence in Germany to raise awareness of their nation's ongoing plight following the invasion by Russia in 2022.

Players emerged decked in the Ukraine flag before the game, with the national anthem belted out loud enough to be heard far away from Stuttgart.

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Once the action started there was the now familiar sight of Romelu Lukaku snatching at a chance when put through by Kevin De Bruyne, before Ukraine served notice of their intent by going on the attack.

Dovbyk was the top scorer in La Liga last season, and he showed just how dangerous he is with two efforts in as many minutes, the first well saved by Koen Casteels.

Belgium limp into Euro 2024 meeting with France as brave Ukraine bow outArtem Dovdyk came close on several occasions (Getty Images)

Belgium weren't exactly rattled though, and in fact De Bruyne was more concerned about laser pointers which were shone in his eyes as he prepared to take a free-kick. After complaining to Premier League official Anthony Taylor, De Bruyne swiftly stepped up and almost brilliantly caught out Anatoliy Trubin with an effort from 45 yards which hit the side-netting.

Their captain's moments of magic aside, Belgium just weren't inspiring though, and passes continued to go astray as arms were held aloft in frustration.

Lukaku tested Trubin from an angle, but it wasn't until Domenico Tedesco made changes that his side looked threatening, with Yannick Carrasco forcing a good save from the Ukraine goalkeeper within minutes of coming on.

Belgium limp into Euro 2024 meeting with France as brave Ukraine bow outBelgium were blunt in attack (Getty Images)

Wout Faes had to be alert to deny Dovbyk on a fast break moments later, and the Girona forward was proving a real threat. he soon fired another effort into the side-netting as he was given too much space.

A moment of inspiration from substitute Ruslan Malinovsky then came so close to catching out Casteels from a corner, with the Belgian goalkeeper relieved to hang onto the ball on the line.

Substitute Johan Bakayoko almost won it for Belgium late on but his effort went wide. They wouldn't have deserved the three points anyway.

Mark Jones

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