Match report
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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The Ukraine national team faced Belgium in the final 3rd round of the Euro 2024 group stage
Head coach of the Blue-and-Yellows Serhii Rebrov made drastic changes in the squad, using the model with three centre-backs and two forwards. Ukraine starting line-up included two Shakhtar players: defender Mykola Matviienko (team captain) and midfielder Heorhii Sudakov.
The opponents started the match toe-to-toe and exchanged dangerous attacks. In the beginning, Trubin won the duel with Lukaku in the one-on-one situation, and Casteels blocked the long-range shot by Yaremchuk at the second attempt. Dovbyk’s shot went near the post, and in response, Theate almost hit the right top corner. Sudakov had two chances: first, Heorhii shot above the target from outside the penalty area, and then he aimed at the near corner after Mykolenko’s cross – the goalkeeper saved the shot. The Blue-and-Yellows had less possession, but were sharper in attack. Yaremchuk coolly rolled the ball along the box line during the counterattack – Dovbyk did not have time to turn it right home, Sudakov shot from the penalty area into the near corner – Casteels is in his place again. Anatolii Trubin also saved the team, dealing with a very dangerous shot by De Bruyne.
The second half split into two parts. First, the Belgians completely dominated the field and had several goal-scoring opportunities, but Trubin saved Lukaku’s shot and two attempts by Carrasco one by one. After a series of substitutions from Serhii Rebrov, the Ukrainians seized the initiative and created several chances. Dovbyk had three great opportunities: two of his close-range shots were blocked by defender of the Belgians Faes at the last moment, and then Artem missed the near corner after Sudakov’s solo attack and cool pass in the penalty area. Malinovskyi curved the ball to the near corner after the corner kick – the ball hit the post, and Stepanenko’s cannon shot was blocked by Castagne. In the added time, Sudakov could have secured a victory: he entered the penalty area through the centre, but hit the goalkeeper. It was the last chance of our team – 0-0.
The Ukraine national team gained 4 points, but took the last place in Group E and left Euro 2024 due to worse goal difference.
Ukraine 0-0 (0-0) Belgium
Ukraine: Trubin, Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok (Yarmolenko, 81′), Matviienko (c), Mykolenko (Zinchenko, 58′), Brazhko (Stepanenko, 70′), Shaparenko (Malinovskyi, 70′), Sudakov, Dovbyk, Yaremchuk (Vanat, 70′)
The opponents started the match toe-to-toe and exchanged dangerous attacks. In the beginning, Trubin won the duel with Lukaku in the one-on-one situation, and Casteels blocked the long-range shot by Yaremchuk at the second attempt. Dovbyk’s shot went near the post, and in response, Theate almost hit the right top corner. Sudakov had two chances: first, Heorhii shot above the target from outside the penalty area, and then he aimed at the near corner after Mykolenko’s cross – the goalkeeper saved the shot. The Blue-and-Yellows had less possession, but were sharper in attack. Yaremchuk coolly rolled the ball along the box line during the counterattack – Dovbyk did not have time to turn it right home, Sudakov shot from the penalty area into the near corner – Casteels is in his place again. Anatolii Trubin also saved the team, dealing with a very dangerous shot by De Bruyne.
The second half split into two parts. First, the Belgians completely dominated the field and had several goal-scoring opportunities, but Trubin saved Lukaku’s shot and two attempts by Carrasco one by one. After a series of substitutions from Serhii Rebrov, the Ukrainians seized the initiative and created several chances. Dovbyk had three great opportunities: two of his close-range shots were blocked by defender of the Belgians Faes at the last moment, and then Artem missed the near corner after Sudakov’s solo attack and cool pass in the penalty area. Malinovskyi curved the ball to the near corner after the corner kick – the ball hit the post, and Stepanenko’s cannon shot was blocked by Castagne. In the added time, Sudakov could have secured a victory: he entered the penalty area through the centre, but hit the goalkeeper. It was the last chance of our team – 0-0.
The Ukraine national team gained 4 points, but took the last place in Group E and left Euro 2024 due to worse goal difference.
Ukraine 0-0 (0-0) Belgium
Ukraine: Trubin, Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok (Yarmolenko, 81′), Matviienko (c), Mykolenko (Zinchenko, 58′), Brazhko (Stepanenko, 70′), Shaparenko (Malinovskyi, 70′), Sudakov, Dovbyk, Yaremchuk (Vanat, 70′)
