The draw between Belgium and Ukraine leaves neither team entirely happy. Ukraine were eliminated and Belgium, as runners-up in Group E, will face France in the round of 16.
Ukraine woke up late and finally did everything they could in the final quarter of an hour to score the goal they needed to progress. At this point, it had long been clear that the Slovaks and Romanians, who were level on points but had a better goal difference, would settle for a draw.
Substitute Ruslan Malinowski came close to scoring the winner in the final minutes. First, his corner almost flew straight into the Belgian goal, then Timothy Castagne fended off the Ukrainian midfielder's shot. In stoppage time, it was Georgi Sudakov who aimed too centrally from a good eleven meters.
A little too late, Ukraine changed their tactics from counter-attacking to ball possession. Sergei Rebrov's team never came close to scoring from a secure defense. The Belgians controlled the game at a moderate tempo and with virtually 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 earn the victory. The consequences are more painful for the Ukrainians. But Belgium would also have liked to have avoided the clash against France in Düsseldorf on Monday with a win.
Telegram and table:
Ukraine - Belgium 0:0
Stuttgart. - 54,000 spectators. - Referee Taylor (ENG).
Ukraine: Trubin; Tymchyk, Sabarni, Svatok (81st Yarmolenko), Matvilenko, Mykolenko (58th Sinchenko); Shaparenko (70th Vanat), Brashko (70th Stepanenko), Sudakov, Yaremchuk (70th Malinovsky), Dovbyk.
Belgium: Casteels; Vertonghen, Faes, Theate, Castagne; De Bruyne, Onana, Tielemans (62. Mangala); Doku (77. Bakayoko), Lukaku (90. Openda), Trossard (62. Carrasco).
Comments: Ukraine complete. Belgium without Lukebakio (suspended), Meunier and Witsel (both injured). Cautions: 43rd 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).
