Belgium delivered a dominant 3-0 victory over Ukraine in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League playoff, overturning the visitors’ advantage from the first match and securing their spot in the elite division. The defeat means Ukraine will remain in League B for the next edition of the competition.
Belgium’s Relentless Pressure Pays Off
The match began at a breakneck pace, with Belgium launching an aggressive offensive against Ukraine’s defense.
The home team controlled possession early, creating sustained pressure around goalkeeper Andriy Lunin’s penalty area. Despite Belgium’s energy, Ukraine’s defense held firm in the first half, frustrating the hosts by blocking shots and intercepting key passes.
Jeremy Doku emerged as Belgium’s most potent attacking force, exploiting Ukraine’s left flank with his pace and dribbling. However, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Oleksandr Hutsulyak worked tirelessly to contain him.
In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne dictated play with precise passing and attempts at goal, though his finishing was uncharacteristically inaccurate. Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s talismanic striker, was kept in check by Ukraine’s Mykyta Svatok, rendering him ineffective for most of the first half.
Ukraine had two promising chances of their own—one in the 5th minute when Matvei Yarmolyuk surged forward and was fouled by Nicolas Raskin, earning the Belgian a yellow card, and another in the 27th minute when Zinchenko fired a long-range shot just wide of the goal.
Second-Half Turnaround Seals Ukraine’s Fate
Belgium intensified their attacks after halftime, missing two clear chances before finally breaking through in the 70th minute.
Substitutions played a crucial role, as Rudi Garcia introduced Alexis Saelemaekers and Maxim De Keper. The latter scored just moments after coming on, tapping in a precise cross from Doku to give Belgium the lead.
The momentum shift was immediate. Five minutes later, Lukaku finally found his breakthrough, capitalizing on a well-placed pass to double Belgium’s lead.
Ukraine, struggling to find attacking momentum, saw their only real attempt in the second half when substitute Artem Dovbyk forced a save from Belgium’s goalkeeper Koen Casteels in the 77th minute.
With time running out, Belgium sealed their emphatic victory in the 86th minute. Vanaken’s expertly timed pass found Lukaku, who slotted the ball into the far corner, ending any lingering Ukrainian hopes of a comeback.
Ukraine’s Promotion Hopes Dashed
With just minutes left, Ukraine’s head coach Serhiy Rebrov made last-ditch changes, bringing on Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko in an attempt to spark an unlikely comeback. However, Belgium’s defense remained unshaken, and the match ended with Ukraine eliminated from promotion contention.
The result means Ukraine fails to capitalize on their two-goal advantage from the first leg, ultimately losing on aggregate and staying in League B for the next UEFA Nations League campaign.
Meanwhile, Belgium’s victory secures their place among Europe’s top-tier teams, affirming their status as one of the continent’s elite squads.
Ukraine will now shift their focus to upcoming international fixtures, as they prepare to adapt to new challenges in an unfamiliar playing environment.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
