Belgium, Romania and Slovakia certified for the final 16 of Euro 2024 on Wednesday as war-torn Ukraine had been left heartbroken by an exhilarating finish to Group E. Romania’s 1-1 draw with Slovakia in Frankfurt secured the purpose each nations wanted to progress, whereas Ukraine’s courageous effort in a 0-0 draw with Belgium was not sufficient. All 4 sides ended the part on 4 factors, however Ukraine paid for his or her 3-0 defeat to Romania of their opening sport as they completed backside of the group on purpose distinction.
Belgium might be made to pay for making a meal of a gaggle they had been anticipated to cruise as Domenico Tedesco’s males will face France within the final 16 after ending second.
Slovakia advance as top-of-the-line third-placed sides and can discover out their final 16 opponents, together with Romania, after Wednesday’s remaining matches in Group F.
Belgium’s mixture of veteran expertise and rising stars are simply one in every of a bunch of favoured sides but to hit their stride in Germany. Their assist reacted furiously on the remaining whistle in Stuttgart, with captain Kevin De Bruyne showing to inform his team-mates to not go over to acknowledge them because the whistles and jeers grew louder.
Ukraine turned the primary aspect for the reason that growth of the Euros to 24 groups to fail to get out of the group stage with 4 factors.
It was a story of what may need been for Serhiy Rebrov’s males as Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels prevented a nook from crossing the road by centimetres earlier than denying Georgiy Sudakov a memorable winner in stoppage time.
Nonetheless, in stark distinction to Belgium’s rebuke, the Ukrainians had been nonetheless handed a hero’s reception on the finish by their band of supporters.
“A robust nation is one that is still united and helps one another always. Each in instances of defeat and in instances of victory,” wrote Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram.
“At the moment we thank the Ukrainian nationwide soccer staff. Regardless of the disappointing end result, you fought for our nation… Glory to Ukraine!”
In Frankfurt, Romania ensured progress to the knockout phases of a Euros for the primary time in 24 years after coming from behind to take a degree.
Slovakia went in entrance on 24 minutes when Ondrej Duda powered house a header. The lead solely lasted 13 minutes as Ianis Hagi, son of former Barcelona and Actual Madrid star Gheorghe Hagi, received a penalty that was emphatically transformed by Razvan Marin.
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