EURO 2024
Belgium through, but Ukraine out of Euro 2024
Belgium reached the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 after drawing 0-0 with Ukraine, who are out of the competition after finishing bottom of Group E on goal difference.
Ukraine forced the issue in the early exchanges as Roman Yaremchuk tested former Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels from 18 yards. Ex-Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne had already fashioned what proved to be the best opening of the half, but Romelu Lukuku was unable to apply the finishing touch from close range. Lukaku went within a whisker of turning in a Jeremy Doku cross in the second half, before Trubin pulled of a strong diving save to stop substitute Yannick Carrasco breaking the deadlock from 18 yards. Ukraine went up the other end with Artem Dovbyk, who was denied a clear sight of goal by Wout Faes. Dovbyk hit the side netting and Casteels did well to prevent a Ruslan Malinovskyi corner from sneaking in as Ukraine pressed for a winner that would have sent them into the last 16. Georgiy Sudakov nearly found it in added time, but sent his shot straight at the goalkeeper. Ukraine exit the tournament as a result, with Belgium going through in second, behind Romania. Slovakia progress as one of the best third-placed nations.