Amadou Onana (bottom) of Belgium vies with Mykola Shaparenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
BERLIN, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Belgium advanced into the round of last 16 despite a goalless draw with eliminated Ukraine, while Romania and third-placed Slovakia progressed after a 1-1 draw in the last round of group play on Wednesday.
The Red Devils were on the front foot and produced the first opportunity of the clash in the seventh minute when Kevin De Bruyne danced through Ukraine's defense before feeding Romelu Lukaku, who couldn't beat goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin from a promising position.
Ukraine grew into the game and chanced its luck with long-range efforts as Roman Yaremchuk and Artem Dovbyk tested custodian Koen Casteels.
Belgium nearly marked the opener at the half hour, but De Bruyne's free kick rattled only the side netting.
After the restart, chances remained a rare occurrence as Belgium dominated possession but lacked in ideas whereas Ukraine missed the finishing touch.
Lukaku unleashed a weak shot on target while Ukraine pressed for the winner, which would lift them into the last 16, as Ruslan Malinovskyi's direct corner attempt almost caught Casteels flat-footed before Georgiy Sudakov couldn't finish his solo run.
"We knew today that we couldn't fail. We can score earlier, we can score more, then many things are easier. I'm proud of my team because they did well at the end. If you concede one goal, you are out," said Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco.
"Unfortunately, we did not qualify because of the first game, which we lost to Romania. I'm grateful for how the players responded against Slovakia. We showed that we were trying to win this game, and there were enough good moments," said Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov.
In the other Group E clash, Slovakia and Romania played out a 1-1 stalemate as Razvan Marin canceled out Ondrej Duda's opener.
With the results, Romania advanced as group winners, followed by Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine (all with four points). ■
Romelu Lukaku (R) of Belgium shoots the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin De Bruyne (top) of Belgium vies with Oleksandr Zinchenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin De Bruyne (R) of Belgium vies with Volodymyr Brazhko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin De Bruyne (L) of Belgium controls the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Wout Faes (R) of Belgium vies with Artem Dovbyk of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Jeremy Doku (L) of Belgium vies with Volodymyr Brazhko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Players of Belgium pose for a group photo before the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin De Bruyne (L) of Belgium looks to pass the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Youri Tielemans (L) of Belgium vies with Mykola Shaparenko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Kevin De Bruyne (2nd L) of Belgium controls the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Jeremy Doku (L) of Belgium vies with Volodymyr Brazhko of Ukraine during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Belgium and Ukraine in Stuttgart, Germany, June 26, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)
Andrei Ratiu of Romania competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
David Hancko (R) of Slovakia vies with Dennis Man of Romania during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Lukas Haraslin (R) of Slovakia vies with Andrei Ratiu of Romania during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Photo taken on June 26, 2024 shows the sudden downpour during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Ivan Schranz (2nd L) of Slovakia vies with Romania's goalkeeper Florin Nita (1st L) during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Ondrej Duda (L) of Slovakia vies with Andrei Ratiu of Romania during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Members of team Slovakia celebrate after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Razvan Marin (Front) of Romania shoots a penalty during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Juraj Kucka (L) of Slovakia vies with Marius Marin of Romania during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Razvan Marin (1st L) and Nicolae Stanciu (2nd L) of Romania celebrate scoring during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Andrei Ratiu of Romania competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E match between Slovakia and Romania in Frankfurt, Germany on June 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
