Ukraine and Belgium dare not slip up as Group E on a knife-edge

STUTTGART – Ukraine and Belgium go into their Euro 2024 clash on June 26 knowing that there is everything to play for and everything to lose, as all four teams in Group E are locked on three points heading into the final match day.

In the previous round, the Belgians recovered from their opening loss to Slovakia to beat Romania 2-0, while Ukraine came from a goal down against the Slovaks to win 2-1.

There are all sorts of permutations but all four sides will know that a win in their last group match guarantees a last-16 place.

It is the first time in the tournament’s history that each team in the same group have the same number of points going into the last round of games.

Belgium had looked like wounded predators in their game against Romania, desperate to bounce back and prove that their best days are not yet behind them.

No player exemplifies that more than Romelu Lukaku. The striker has had three goals disallowed by the video assistant referee (VAR) in the tournament so far. He would be top scorer were it not for very fine margins.

However, his hold-up play and ability to fend off two or three defenders help create space for others to fashion chances, such as Youri Tielemans’ opening strike against Romania.

He can also count on the mercurial Kevin de Bruyne, who also scored against the Romanians late on to seal the victory, pulling the strings just behind.

“We have an extreme amount of potential. Let’s see, the last game against Ukraine will be difficult,” coach Domenico Tedesco said.

“We missed a few chances (against Romania) and it would have been great if we could have closed the match earlier.

“But we are happy to have got these three points and now we will see what the next game brings.”

Ukraine have their own dangerman up front in Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, who finished as La Liga’s top scorer last season with 24 goals and is looking to put his stamp on the tournament and grab a goal.

Serhiy Rebrov’s side will also look to use Mykhailo Mudryk’s electric pace to test the uneasy-looking Belgium central defence, should Wout Faes once again partner 37-year-old Jan Vertonghen at the back.

They also can count on the knowledge of forward Roman Yaremchuk, who scored their winner against Slovakia and played in Belgium for teams such as Gent and Club Brugge in recent years.

“We will need to do something incredible to get points against a team of this standard. I really hope it will be Ukraine’s day and not Belgium’s.

“They will be highly motivated. There is some pressure on them and it can make them play more aggressive,” Yaremchuk said of the clash at Stuttgart Arena.

It is the first meeting between Ukraine and Belgium. Both were knocked out at the quarter-final stage at Euro 2020.

Romania, who currently lead Group E, will advance as a top-two side if they avoid defeat against Slovakia.

A draw would give both teams an excellent chance of going through, as runners-up and one of the best third-placed finishers – should there be a winner in the Belgium-Ukraine match.

However, Romania forward Valentin Mihaila rejected suggestions that both teams might settle for a point from the start at Frankfurt Arena.

“You can’t go into a match mentally as a player, as a team, with the thought of drawing.

“If it is 0-0 in the 91st minute and the tied score qualifies us both, yes... but I don’t want to do calculations,” he insisted.

“We have to go in with the mindset of winning the game and I think we can do that.” REUTERS, AFP