At the final whistle, the stark contrast in emotions was palpable. One team, Ukraine, stood dejected yet dignified in their penalty area, met with warm applause from their loyal supporters. Across the pitch, Belgium, the victors, could barely approach their own fans before being met with a barrage of boos and jeers. This unusual scene highlighted a match where Ukraine, despite being eliminated from EURO 2024, earned admiration, while Belgium, despite progressing to the knockout stage, faced heavy criticism. Kevin De Bruyne, sensing the negative atmosphere, urged his teammates to retreat to the dressing room.
Ukraine’s EURO 2024 journey concluded with a narrow defeat and an exit from the tournament, despite accumulating four points – a tally equal to every other team in their group and surpassing that of Denmark, who secured second place, and several third-placed qualifiers. Ultimately, in the crucial final minutes, Ukraine lacked the necessary spark and energy to find the decisive goal they desperately needed. While their campaign ends here, their performance and resilience throughout the tournament deserve recognition.
[Dignity reigns on stormy night as Romania and Slovakia battle into last 16
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Beyond the realm of football, the context of Ukraine’s participation in EURO 2024 carries profound significance. Belgium’s fans respectfully applauded the Ukrainian national anthem before the match, a gesture that underscored the broader implications of this game. Ukrainian players have consistently spoken about the weight of representing their nation amidst ongoing conflict, constantly seeking updates from home and aware of the anxieties of friends and family following their progress. Their primary mission at EURO 2024 extended beyond mere sporting achievement; it was to keep the global spotlight on the war in Ukraine and to embody the spirit of a nation in adversity. This context resonated deeply with fans, who acknowledged their courage and unity through heartfelt applause.
Ukraine’s path to the knockout stages was always going to be an uphill battle after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Romania in their opening match. Despite moments of late pressure against Belgium, including a close-range shot from Artem Dovbyk and a powerful strike from Ruslan Malinovskyi, their attacks lacked sustained threat. Belgium’s goalkeeper, Koen Casteels, and midfielder, Youri Tielemans, effectively neutralized these attempts, preventing Ukraine from breaching their defense.
Belgium’s performance, while securing qualification, was far from convincing. Donning their Tintin-inspired away kit, they heavily relied on the brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne. However, even Tintin, the iconic detective, relies on his supporting cast. Aside from flashes of brilliance from Jérémy Doku, De Bruyne appeared to be carrying the team single-handedly. This lack of collective dynamism contributed to the underwhelming nature of Belgium’s victory.
Quick Guide
Euro 2024: last-16 matches
ShowSaturday 29 JuneSwitzerland vs Italy (Berlin, 5pm, all times BST)Germany vs Denmark (Dortmund, 8pm)
Sunday 30 JuneEngland vs Slovakia (Gelsenkirchen, 5pm)Spain vs Georgia (Cologne, 8pm)
Monday 1 JulyFrance vs Belgium (Düsseldorf, 5pm)Portugal vs Slovenia (Frankfurt, 8pm)
Tuesday 2 JulyRomania vs Netherlands (Munich, 5pm)Austria vs Türkiye (Leipzig, 8pm)
The frustration of Belgium’s fans was understandable. While their negativity might have stemmed from the fear of conceding a goal that could jeopardize their qualification, their team’s overly cautious approach was evident. Belgium seemed content to run down the clock, hold possession in the corner, and secure second place in the group. This strategy, while ensuring progression to the last 16, placed them on a tougher path, facing France in the next round and potentially Portugal or Spain in later stages. A more ambitious approach to win the group would have arguably offered a more favorable route in the knockout stages.
Central to Belgium’s struggles is the perplexing misfortune of Romelu Lukaku. Despite his impressive physique, ball-holding ability, and intelligent movement, Lukaku’s goal-scoring touch seems to have deserted him at crucial moments. His track record as Belgium’s all-time top scorer highlights his capabilities, yet his current form raises questions.
Romelu Lukaku profileHis performance against Croatia in the World Cup serves as a stark reminder of his potential, where his misses became almost unbelievable. At EURO 2024, Lukaku has had three goals disallowed – for offside and handball – adding to his woes. This string of unfortunate events could understandably erode a player’s confidence.
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Against Ukraine, Lukaku’s tribulations continued. Early in the game, a perfectly weighted pass from De Bruyne set him clear on goal. However, Lukaku’s attempted shot lacked conviction and was easily saved. Later, a Doku cross eluded him, and another opportunity in the box resulted in a tame shot straight at the Ukrainian goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. Lukaku’s seven shots on target in the tournament, more than any other player, have yielded no goals, a statistic that encapsulates his and Belgium’s frustrating EURO 2024 campaign so far.
On current form, both Lukaku and Belgium face an uphill task in the knockout stages of EURO 2024. While Belgium advanced, their performance against Ukraine and the negative reaction from their own fans suggest significant improvements are needed if they are to progress further in the tournament. For Ukraine, their EURO 2024 journey ends with disappointment but also with their heads held high, having showcased resilience and national pride on the European stage amidst challenging circumstances.
