Belgium Draws Ukraine 0-0, Slovakia and Romania Also Tie in Group E Showdown

 Belgium Draws Ukraine 0-0, Slovakia and Romania Also Tie in Group E Showdown

Ianis Hagi of Romania with megaphone celebrates during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Slovakia and Romania at Frankfurt Arena on June 26, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany(Image-Getty)

Belgium 0: 0 Ukraine

Slovakia 1: 1 Romania

Bad luck or what! The current champion Italy reached the last 16 of the Euro by becoming the runner-up of the 'B' group with 4 points. Netherlands has become third from group D with 4 points. 3 points were enough for the two teams of 'C' group, Denmark and Slovenia.

But despite getting 4 points, Ukraine had to leave due to the goal difference behind the rest of the teams in 'E' group. Belgium, Slovakia and Romania reached the knockout stage from this group, leaving the war-torn country's footballers in despair.

Kevin de Bruyne-Romelu Lukaku's Belgium clashed with Ukraine in a goalless draw in Stuttgart today. The Slovakia-Romania match ended in a 1-1 draw in Frankfurt.

Point list of 'E' group

Team Match Win Loss Draw Goal Difference Points

Romania 3 1 1 1 +1 4

Belgium 3 1 1 1 +1 4

Slovakia 3 1 1 1 0 4

Ukraine 3 1 1 1 –2 4

Romania became the group champion by scoring the most goals in 3 matches. The team reached the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time since 2000. Romania was joined by Belgium second and Slovakia third from this group.

Belgium, however, face a tough test in the last sixteen. Kylian Mbappe's France will be the opponent of De Bruyne's team in the fight to reach the quarter-finals on July 1.

De Bruyne-Jeremy Dokura wore the jersey today, it was impossible to tell from a distance whether he was playing for the national team Belgium or the club Manchester City! The Belgian fans surely expected a City-like performance from De Bruyne-Doku in the sky-blue jersey. However, they could not satisfy the fans.

Romelu Lukaku, who got the title of 'Miss Master' on social media, has missed several golden opportunities today. Timothée Castagne, Yohan Bakayokoro also failed to capitalize on some great opportunities.

On the contrary, Ukraine almost got the winning goal. Late in the match, Ukraine's Georgy Sudakov took a shot across the body of Belgian goalkeeper Kion Castiles. In the end, the Ukrainians had to share points with Belgium. He had to leave the field with the disappointment of being knocked out of the group stage of the Euros.

Surprisingly, this is Ukraine's first draw in the main stage of the Euros. Earlier they played 13 matches losing 9 and winning 4.

Today, the bodies of the Ukrainian fans lie in the MAP Arena in Stuttgart, but their minds are in the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. The other two teams in the group that faced there were Romania and Slovakia. So the Ukrainian fans had to keep their eyes on that match with their mobile phones.

A win between Romania and Slovakia would have opened the door for Ukraine. A draw with Belgium would have made it to the last sixteen as one of the top 4 teams to finish third. But the hopes of the Ukrainians were not fulfilled as the Romania-Slovakia match drew 1-1.

Both goals in the match were scored in the first half. Ondrei Duda put Slovakia ahead in 24 minutes. Romania's Rajvan Marin equalized the match by scoring from the penalty spot in the 37th minute.