Belgium progressed to the last 16 of Euro 2024 as runners-up in Group E after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine, who were eliminated after finishing bottom.
Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia meant all four teams finished the group on four points, with Romania topping the group and Slovakia edging out Ukraine for third.
The result of the Red Devils failing to find a winner and therefore missing out on top spot means a France await them in the last 16.
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As it happened
All three sides in a hotly-contested Group E started the final round of fixtures on three points and it was Belgium who started more confidently, albeit they struggled to test the goalkeeper.
Ukraine were the first to call their opposite No1 into action, with a nice strike from Roman Yaremchuk on the edge of the box parried clear by Koen Casteels.
They proved difficult for Belgium to break down for much of the first half and were a threat on the break, with a couple of more efforts having to be dealt with by Casteels.
Kevin De Bruyne was Belgium’s most impressive player, teeing up Romelu Lukaku to scuff a one-on-one before nearly sneaking a free-kick in at the near post.
He had another sight of sight of goal late in the half, with shot from the left-hand side curling comfortably into Anatoliy Trubin’s hands.
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The Red Devils were inches away from taking control of the group in the second half when Jeremy Doku raced clear down the left but Lukaku could not quite get on the end of his cross.
With scores level between Slovenia and Romania, Ukraine were heading out and in more desperate need of a goal – though their willingness to keep letting Belgium would not have shown it.
Lukaku registered a shot on target after cutting inside on the right, but it was another tame effort which was pushed away.
Substitute Yannik Carrasco saw an effort saved after a nice exchange with Lukaku with less than 20 minutes to go, before two bits of brilliant defending from Wout Faes kept Artem Dovbyk at bay as the game began to open up.
Belgium qualify after draw in Stuttgart ✅#EURO2024 | #UKRBEL pic.twitter.com/DUF40uFam3
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
Roman Malinovskyi nearly snuck an effort in but his cross did not quite cross the line before Casteels palmed it clear.
Ukraine’s stubborn defence began to open up as they chased a crucial goal in the final five minutes but Yohan Bakayoko could not get his shot on target after taking the ball off De Bruyne.
Malinovskyi then belted a shot towards the goal, which Timothy Castagne bravely got in front of before Georgiy Sudakov couldn’t find the net for what would have been a sensational winner after a brilliant jinking run.
But it was too little, too late for the Blue and Yellow, who were the side to miss out on the last 16 on goal difference despite finishing on the same amount of points as their Group E opponents.
