Stuttgart: In the decisive match of the Euro Cup Group E, Ukraine was stuck in a goalless draw against Belgium and is out of the pre-quarters. Ukraine, who needed a win to enter the pre-quarters, could not break Belgium’s defense. After the match between Slovakia and Romania in the group ended in a draw, Ukraine had to return without seeing the pre-quarters despite gaining four points. Group champions Romania, runners-up Belgium and one of the best third-placed Slovakia advanced to the prequarters. All three teams have four points from three games. Belgium will face France in the pre-quarters on June 29.
Belgium came out with Trossard in the starting XI to replace the suspended Dodi Lukebakkiou. There were three changes in the Ukraine team. Sinchenko and Yarmolenko were replaced by Dinzil Zatok and Mykolenko. Yaremchuk also replaced Mykhailo Madric.
The Belgium team came out in a blue and coffee colored jersey inspired by the outfit of famous Belgian cartoonist Herge’s most famous comic character Tint.
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Kevin De Bruyne created the first opportunity for Belgium in the seventh minute. Romelu Lukaku’s weak shot from De Bruyne’s pass advanced with the ball and was easily saved by Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin.
Later, the golden opportunity in the 42nd minute, but Ukraine could not score. Belgium split the defense and received Shaparenko’s pass and advanced to Yaremchuk’s cross but Artem Dovbyk was unable to do so. Belgium dominated possession throughout the first half.
But Belgium was not able to break through Ukraine’s defenses. Lukaku completely disappointed in the third game in a row. Jeremy Docu and De Bruyne played hard but to no avail.
Ukraine goalkeeper Trubin saved Yannick Carrasco’s goal-bound shot in the 73rd minute after a good team move. In the very next minute, Dowbick advanced alone with the ball into the Belgium box, but a precise intervention by Wut Feys saved Belgium. Then in the 83rd minute, a corner Malinowski hit the post, but the presence of mind of the goalie Casteels saved Belgium. Castiels’ save came when the ball was inches from crossing the goal line.
After that, Ukraine, which was a must-win, attacked the Belgium box one after the other, but the Belgium defense and the goalie Casteels stood firm, and the result was disappointing.