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Ukraine v Belgium LIVE: Result and reaction as Red Devils survive in Group E at Euro 2024

The Belgian Red Devils squeezed through in second to face France in the last 16 with Ukraine the first side in Euros history to exit the tournament with four points from the group stage

Michael Jones
Wednesday 26 June 2024 19:32 BST
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(AFP via Getty Images)

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Belgium drew 0-0 with Ukraine on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of Euro 2024 where they will face France, while the Ukrainians bow out following Group E's final match.

Romania finish as group winners after they drew with Slovakia 1-1 in the other match.

All teams finished on four points, but Romania pushed the Belgians into second on goals scored. Slovakia finished above Ukraine on goal difference to advance as one of the four best third-place finishers.

Domenico Tedesco's Belgium dominated possession in the tight contest, though it was Serhiy Rebrov's Ukraine who had more attempts on goal in the first half.

But the two teams cancelled each other out in the second period as Belgium clung on for a place in the knockout stage. Relive all the action and reaction from Ukraine v Belgium below:

Belgium aiming to win against Ukraine

Belgium will want to end the group stages with a win against Ukraine on Wednesday even though a draw will be enough for them to reach the last 16 at Euro 2024.

Group E has all four teams locked on three points ahead of the final round of fixtures, with different permutations for finishing positions.

As long as Belgium avoid defeat they will stay in one of Group E’s top two spots thanks to their positive goal difference but the manager hopes to be more successful this evening.

Domenico Tedesco said: "We can’t start to calculate or speculate. We are going out to win the game."

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:36

Hungary striker Barnabas Varga released from hospital following horror collision against Scotland

Hungary striker Barnabas Varga has been released from hospital and is recovering at home after breaking bones in his face following a horrific collision in his side’s Euro 2024 clash with Scotland.

Varga was stretchered off during the crunch clash in Stuttgart with the score at 0-0 in the 68th minute of the Group A clash.

The heavy fall, following a challenge with goalkeeper Angus Gunn and defender Anthony Ralston, appeared to leave him unconscious as his teammates immediately called for medical attention.

Hungary star released from hospital after horror collision vs Scotland

Varga suffered broken bones to his face after a collision with Angus Gunn and Anthony Ralston during his side’s 1-0 victory over Scotland

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:32

European press hammer England after dreary draw against Slovenia: ‘These Lions are kittens’

England’s limp effort against Slovenia was met with criticism from across Europe as the continent’s media were left unimpressed by Gareth Southgate’s side.

A 0-0 draw in Cologne answered few of the questions surrounding an underperforming squad, who again looked enervated and lacking in quality.

The point secured top spot in Group C with progression to the knockout rounds already assured, but England created few chances in their final group fixture and are yet to really impress at Euro 2024.

European press hammer England after dreary draw against Slovenia

A 0-0 draw ensured Gareth Southgate’s side progressed as group winners despite three lacklustre performances

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:30

Group E results so far and remaining fixtures

June 26, Frankfurt: Slovakia v Romania (1700)

June 26, Stuttgart: Ukraine v Belgium (1700)

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:25

What do Ukraine need to qualify?

Permutations

With all four teams in the group level on three points going into the final round, it’s all to play for in a wide-open Group E. In one way, it’s simple for the four teams involved: win and you’re in the last-16.

Ukraine: Can go through with a win against Belgium.

A draw would be enough to finish third on four points, but only if there is a winner in the other game between Romania and Slovakia.

If all four teams finish on four points, then Ukraine would go out on goal difference. A defeat would only be good enough for third if Romania beat Slovakia.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:19

What do Slovakia need to qualify?

Permutations

With all four teams in the group level on three points going into the final round, it’s all to play for in a wide-open Group E. In one way, it’s simple for the four teams involved: win and you’re in the last-16.

Slovakia: Can go through with a win or draw against Romania. Slovakia finish third with a draw, while they would also finish third if they and Belgium both lose. Slovakia would finish fourth if they lose and Belgium win.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:14

What do Belgium need to qualify?

Permutations

With all four teams in the group level on three points going into the final round, it’s all to play for in a wide-open Group E. In one way, it’s simple for the four teams involved: win and you’re in the last-16.

Belgium: Similar to Romania, with some variations.

Belgium will go through with a win against Ukraine, and top the group if the other game is a draw or if Romania defeat Slovakia. Belgium would go through if both games finish as a draw, and they would finish second with a draw and there’s a winner in the other game between Romania and Slovakia.

If Belgium lose, they would finish third if Slovakia win, and fourth if Romania win.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:09

What do Romania need to qualify?

Permutations

With all four teams in the group level on three points going into the final round, it’s all to play for in a wide-open Group E. In one way, it’s simple for the four teams involved: win and you’re in the last-16.

Romania: Will go through with a win.

If Romania draw against Slovakia, both teams go through on four points. If Romania draw and there’s a winner in the game between Belgium and Ukraine, then Romania would finish second on goal difference.

If both games finish as a draw, it would go down to goals scored again, so a 2-2 for Romania would be better than a 1-1 for Belgium, for example.

If Romania lose and the other game is a draw, then Romania would finish fourth and would be out. If Romania lose but there’s a winner in the other game between Belgium and Ukraine, they would finish third if the loser is Ukraine and fourth if the loser is Belgium.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 15:02

What do Belgium, Ukraine, Romania and Slovakia need to qualify?

Euro 2024 arrives at the final round of the group stage to decide who will go through to the knockouts. As well as the top two teams in each of the six groups, the four best third-placed teams will also progress to make up the last-16, with the remaining eight nations cut from the tournament.

Next up is Group E and Group F, following a dramatic and potentially significant ending to Group D, where Austria topped the group ahead of France and the Netherlands. Group E is wide open, with all four teams going into the final day level on points and having the chance to go through.

The final two groups will determine the final ranking of third-placed teams, with England among those who are awaiting to discover their fate after topping Group C depsite a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 14:55

Ukraine v Belgium prediction

Belgium showed some fighting spirit at last, as well as technical quality everyone knows they have, in their last game. If they show the same again they’ll win.

Ukraine 0-2 Belgium.

Mike Jones26 June 2024 14:49

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