Belgium performed out a nervy scoreless draw with Ukraine to finally wrap up second place in Group E and arrange a last-16 tie with France, with the Ukrainians eradicated on aim distinction, ending backside of the group behind Slovakia.
Romania end as group winners after they drew with Slovakia 1-1 within the different match. All groups completed on 4 factors, however Romania pushed the Belgians into second on objectives scored. Slovakia completed above Ukraine on aim distinction to advance as one of many 4 finest third-place finishers.
With all 4 sides locked on factors as the ultimate video games started there was no margin for error, whereas a win would see any workforce by means of, and each side went looking for objectives from the kick-off.
The perfect early likelihood fell to Romelu Lukaku, who was performed in by a trademark defence-splitting move from Kevin De Bruyne within the seventh minute, however as so typically on this event, the striker fluffed his end and the hazard was simply averted, setting the tone for Belgium’s night.
Stringing 5 throughout the again, defending was the main focus for Ukraine and so they did so everywhere in the pitch, urgent laborious and tackling aggressively, however not recklessly, as they sought to include the Belgians.
That they had possibilities of their very own too, and Roman Yaremchuk will remorse not being extra egocentric when he was performed in and, somewhat than taking pictures, opted to sq. to Artem Dovbyk, however his move was too laborious and flew harmlessly throughout the aim.
By half-time all 4 groups within the group had nonetheless solely gained some extent, with the Romanians and Slovakians including a aim every in a 1-1 attract Frankfurt, and finally Ukraine needed to launch the handbrake to go for victory.
A triple substitution by Serhiy Rebrov within the seventieth minute did not fairly have the specified impact nonetheless, and substitute Yannick Carrasco nearly scored for Belgium with a stinging shot that was parried away by Anatoliy Trubin.
Malanovsky nearly netted with a low nook whipped in on the close to publish however Koen Casteels was alive to the hazard, and Taras Stepanenko headed over from the ensuing nook because the Ukrainians elevated the stress.
Belgium may have snatched a late winner however Bakayoko curled his shot previous the far publish, and Georgiy Sudakov wasted an excellent stoppage-time likelihood for Ukraine after a storming assault by means of the center, however he fired his shot straight at Casteels.
The referee’s whistle went, but Belgian pleasure was short-lived as boos and whistles rained down from the stands after one other unimpressive show, though they are going to no less than have an opportunity to redeem themselves whereas Ukraine head house.