Ukraine loses to Belgium, stays in Nations League Group B
Photo: Romelu Lukaku did his job (uefa.com)
The national teams of Belgium and Ukraine played a tense rematch in the UEFA Nations League playoffs. The Blue and Yellows failed to hold their advantage from the first game and did not make it to the elite division, according to the match result.
UEFA Nations League, Playoff, Second Leg
Belgium – Ukraine – 3:0
Goals: De Kuyper, 70'; Lukaku, 75', 86'
The match started with high intensity, as Belgium came out like hungry tigers, putting pressure on Ukraine's defense. Belgium kept the Ukrainian team on edge, creating chaos around goalkeeper Lunin’s goal, though they failed to create truly dangerous chances before halftime.
On the left flank, Belgium's Doku was the main threat. His performance was the result of a tactical decision by coach Rudi Garcia, who targeted Ukraine’s defensive weaknesses. However, Zinchenko and Hutsulyak managed to contain the winger with considerable difficulty.
In midfield, De Bruyne was a constant presence, delivering creative passes and testing Lunin with shots, though his aim was off. Lukaku was largely neutralized by Svatok in the first half. Lunin was called into action a few times, and once, the ball struck the post. In defense, Ukraine weathered the storm during the first 45 minutes.
Ukraine had two promising moments in attack. The first came in the 5th minute, when Yarmolyuk, making his debut for the national team, embarked on a solo run after picking up the ball in his penalty area. He was stopped illegally by Raskin, earning the Belgian a yellow card. The second chance came in the 27th minute when Zinchenko fired a shot from outside the box but missed the target.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with more pressure from Belgium. Vanaken missed a close-range shot, and Lukaku failed to score from two meters out. Ukraine’s defense was under increasing pressure.
At the 69th minute, both teams made substitutions. For Ukraine, Mykhailichenko, Dovbyk, and Tsygankov entered the game, while Belgium brought on Saelemaekers and De Keper. It was De Keper who made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal with his second touch after a brilliant cross from Doku.
Five minutes later, Lukaku doubled Belgium's lead, extinguishing Ukraine’s hopes. The first real chance for Ukraine came when Dovbyk headed a ball towards goal, but Belgium's goalkeeper, Casteels, finally made a save in the 77th minute.
In the 86th minute, Lukaku sealed the victory for Belgium with a well-placed shot into the far corner after a perfect pass from Vanaken.
With just three minutes of regular time left plus added time, Ukraine’s coach Serhiy Rebrov went all-in by sending on Yaremchuk and Yarmolenko for a last push, but it was too late.
Thus, Ukraine failed to hold onto their two-goal advantage from the first leg. Their dreams of promotion to the top division of the UEFA Nations League remain unfulfilled, and they will begin the next edition of the competition in League B.
Earlier, it was reported that the Ukrainian national football team will play under unusual rules and will discover a new part of the world.
