Belgium secured their place in the knockout stages of EURO 2024 despite an unconvincing 0-0 draw against Ukraine at the MHPArena in Stuttgart, Germany.
It was a rather cagey affair for the opening 70 minutes of the match, however as both sides became more desperate for the win, the game began to open up.
Both Belgium and Ukraine had great chances to win the match in the final stages, but neither side could find a breakthrough as the game ended goalless.
The 1-1 draw between Slovakia and Romania means that Belgium have qualified as runners up in Group E - setting up a mouthwatering Round of 16 tie against France - whilst Ukraine will be packing their bags having finished bottom of Group E, and became the first team in the tournament's history to go home after amassing four points.
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Story of the Match
Domenico Tedesco made one change to his side that beat Romania 2-0 in their previous match, with Leandro Trossard coming back into the side in place of Dodi Lukebakio - who missed out due to suspension.
The Arsenal forward struggled to make an impact in Belgium's opening game defeat against Slovakia and, as a result, was dropped to the bench for Belgium's 2-0 win over Romania. However, Tedesco showed faith in Trossard and opted to bring him back into the side ahead of the likes of Loïs Openda and Johan Bakayoko.
As for Ukraine, Serhiy Rebrov made three changes to the side that beat Slovakia 2-1 in their last game, with the three big names of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Yarmolenko and Mykhailo Mudryk all missing out in place of Oleksandr Svatok, Vitaly Mykolenko and Roman Yaremchuk.
It was the first time in the history of the European Championships that all four teams had three points heading into the final round of group games, and whilst all four teams could finish anywhere from first to last, it was clear for both Belgium and Ukraine that a win for either would secure their place in the knockout stages.
The Red Devils flew out of the blocks in their second match against Romania, but were much more patient to open up proceedings in Stuttgart this time around.
It was Kevin De Bruyne who looked the most threatening in the early stages, finding Romelu Lukaku with a pin-point pass in the opening five minutes as he set the striker through on goal, but Lukaku scuffed his shot which was easily dealt with by Anatoliy Trubin.
Despite being heavy underdogs heading into the match, Ukraine began to see more of the ball and had their first sight of goal after 20 minutes when Yaremchuk stung the gloves of Koen Casteels from 20 yards out, but this failed to test the Belgian number one.
The game began to take shape after half an hour with Belgium comfortable on possession without creating an awful lot, whilst Ukraine were happy absorbing the pressure and looked threatening on the counter attack.
The best opening of the first half came courtesy of Ukraine as Yaremchuk was played through by Mykola Shaparenko, but he opted to try and square the ball to Artem Dovbyk in the middle of the box rather than going for goal, with his pass being over-hit and sailing across the face of goal.
De Bruyne had one final effort to end the half, but his shot from the edge of the penalty area was easily held by Trubin as the two sides went into half time level after a very cagey opening 45 minutes.
Second Half
With no half time changes from either coach, both sides came out for the second half with their future at EURO 2024 still up in the air.
The second half started much like the first did, with Belgium dominating possession but still looking lethargic in the final third of the pitch.
The Red Devils had a combined 36 shots in their opening two games, however at the hour mark against Ukraine they had managed just seven shots on goal, highlighting their struggles in breaking down the stern defence.
Tedesco opted to bring on Yannick Carrasco with just under half an hour to play and, unlike the first game, played the winger in his more favourable position rather than at left-back.
The Al-Shabab forward made an immediate impact and hit a fierce shot from 20 yards out, forcing Trubin to parry the ball away from goal.
The game sprung to life with 15 minutes remaining, with both sides desperately searching for a late winner rather than relying on the other result going their way.
It was Ukraine's turn to threaten as Dovbyk's shot from close range just missed the mark, with many of the Ukraine fans behind the goal thinking the ball had gone in when they saw the side netting ripple.
Heading into the final 10 minutes, Casteels was on hand to save his side after Ruslan Malinovskyi's corner was fizzed across the face of goal and looked to be going in, before the Wolfsburg keeper recovered in the nick of time to keep the ball out and keep Belgium level.
The match became and end-to-end affair and Ukraine were almost caught on the break in the closing stages as Belgium found themselves in a three-on-two counter attacking situation, however the chance was wasted as second-half substitute Bakayoko couldn't find the target from the edge of the area.
Just minutes later, Ukraine were presented with a golden opportunity of their own as the ball sat up perfectly for Malinovskyi on the edge of the box. He stuck the ball with venom towards goal, but Timothy Castagne was on hand to put his body on the line and block his effort, requiring treatment from the physio as a result.
One final chance fell to Ukraine to win the game as Georgiy Sudakov - Ukraine's brightest spark on the day - dribbled past several Belgian defenders before finding himself with a free shot at goal inside the penalty area. If the shot was a yard either side of Casteels, Ukraine would likely have reached the knockout stages and Belgium would have been knocked out of the tournament, but unfortunately for him the shot was straight down the throat of Casteels.
Anthony Taylor blew for full-time to a chorus of boos from all corners of the stadium, as Belgium's quest for their maiden European Championships win continues.
As for Ukraine, few people gave them a chance after their 3-0 defeat to Romania in their opening game, but in the end will feel hard done by having failed to qualify from Group E despite accumulating four points in their three games - the first side ever to do so.
Player of the Match - Kevin De Bruyne
In what was a cagey affair for much of the afternoon, it was the Manchester City man who looked the biggest threat on the pitch.
De Bruyne was picking the ball up from his own half and driving forward trying to create openings for his side, just like we've become accustomed to seeing from him week in, week out in the Premier League.
He was unfortunately let down by his teammates on several occasions as they lacked a clinical edge in front of goal, but he can certainly hold his head up high as the Belgian captain led by example.
His team will need him to put in a similar performance against France if they are to progress to the Quarter-finals, although De Bruyne will no doubt be hoping that his teammates can step up and take some of the weight off his shoulders against, what will be, a strong French defence.
