Belgium draws 0-0 with Ukraine on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of Euro 2024 where they will face France, while the Ukrainians bow out following Group E’s final match.
Romania finish as group winners after they drew with Slovakia 1-1 in the other match.
All teams finished on four points, but Romania pushed the Belgians into second on goals scored. Slovakia finished above Ukraine on goal difference to advance as one of the four best third-place finishers.
Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium dominated possession in the tight contest, though it was Serhiy Rebrov’s Ukraine who had more attempts on goal in the first half.
But the two teams cancelled each other out in the second period as Belgium clung on for a place in the knockout stage.
As France await, Belgium will look to one man – but can he even save them?
As Belgium’s group-stage campaign came to an end at Euro 2024, there was only one attribute as evident as their innate collective talent: their dependency on Kevin De Bruyne, a player who is not even at his best right now.
This Belgium team has been built upon the fading remnants of a golden generation and the glistening jewels of the next one, but so far in Germany, they have failed to consistently combine. Those shortcomings resulted in the ‘shock’ opening loss to Slovakia, and they resulted in this dispiriting draw with Ukraine.
Ukraine 0-0 Belgium: Domenico Tedesco’s team are too reliant on De Bruyne, a player who has struggled for consistency in Germany
Belgium limp into last 16 as Ukraine eliminated from Euro 2024
Belgium will face France in the last 16 of Euro 2024 following a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, who crashed out of the tournament.
The Red Devils limped through Group E, finishing second behind Romania.
That means they will meet France next as Ukraine exited on goal difference and become the first team to depart the extended European Championship at the group stage with four points.
Ukraine 0-0 Belgium: Domenico Tedesco’s were second best in a goalless draw and now face France in the next round
Ukraine and Belgium battled to a tense draw in the final game of Group E as Ukraine became the first side in tournament history to obtain four points but not qualify for the last 16.
A largely uneventful first half produced a brilliant opportunity early on for Romelu Lukaku, with his scuffed effort Belgium’s only real opening in the first 45.
But on balance Ukraine created more than the Red Devils in the opening period, with Yaremchuk and Sudakov causing problems in the Belgium defence.
Ukraine 0-0 Belgium: Ukraine are out of Euro 2024 as Group E comes to an end with a disjointed, tepid affair in Stuttgart