Some teams qualified without a single victory, while others qualified with fewer than four points. A few of them were only third-placed teams. Just as Luka Modrić wept after Croatia’s heartbreaking elimination against Italy, declaring that “football is cruel,” Ukraine experienced a similar fate.
Emotionally 😔 pic.twitter.com/wJnn3Wsfkv
— Ukrainian Association of Football (@uafukraine) June 26, 2024
Despite finishing the tournament with four points, just like everyone else in the group, it wasn’t enough to see them through. A curious but heartbreaking truth.
Ukraine’s Disappointing Campaign
Many will remember Ukraine’s promising performance in EURO 2020, which seemed to herald a bright future. Stars like Artem Dovbyk, now the top scorer of La Liga with Girona, rose to international prominence.
Expectations were high for the Ukrainian striker and supported by Sudakov and Tsygankov, Ukraine seemed poised to make it to the next round in a group with Belgium, Romania and Slovakia.
🇺🇦 We draw with Belgium and leave Euro-2024 with four points
Thank you for your desire and character, Ukraine 🙌 pic.twitter.com/fd2Cln4Wze
— Ukrainian Association of Football (@uafukraine) June 26, 2024
Many, myself included, believed Ukrainians had all the tools to succeed. In another world, they would have.
At this level of competition, every mistake can haunt you for days. Ukraine’s first match, a 3-0 nightmare defeat against Romania, shocked the world. Nobody had expected Romania to win against Ukraine, let alone by such a decisive scoreline. Without a doubt, anyone who watched the game would assure you that Ukraine deserved to be hammered by Romania. This is yet another underdog story, as Romania topped the group ahead of Belgium.
Belgium’s Struggles Continue Despite Star-Studded Squad
Yesterday’s match made it clear why Belgium did not top its group. Romelu Lukaku, the epitome of imprecision, had multiple goals disallowed by VAR for being offside, symbolizing the Belgian side’s lack of attention to detail.
Into the last 16! 🇧🇪 #UKRBEL #WirSchaffenDas #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/6ePhd9RTty
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) June 26, 2024
While there were no audible boos from the fans as seen in England’s match against Slovenia, the heavy expressions on Belgian fans’ faces were loud and clear. With good reason – Belgium should be playing better football.
The problem remains that the team lacks pillars after many of the old guards left. Still, many expected better from the little European nation, given the quality of their squad. After all, the team boasts heavyweights like Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Atlético de Madrid’s Axel Witsel.
Despite having the elements to become one of the most dynamic teams, Belgium appeared to be one of the top teams with the slowest tempo.
They had already surprisingly lost against Slovakia (1-0), and while many thought this would serve as a wake-up call, prompting the team to realize something was wrong, it did not.
KDB #EURO2024 | #UKRBEL pic.twitter.com/YxzvebIRaM
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 26, 2024
Belgium has yet to deliver a convincing game despite having a squad that includes heavyweights in the world of football. The same can’t be said about their opponent, Ukraine.
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Mutual Disappointment: Belgium and Ukraine’s Unmet Expectations
When the referee blew the final whistle, Ukraine was also disappointed – but they held their heads high while the Belgians kept a low profile. Ukraine did everything to find the opener, but it never came.
Artem Dovbyk is one of the reasons. He struggled to translate his club-level skills to the international stage. It was as if he were a different player, appearing as an incomplete version of himself.
Together 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/SjtpJ16Xbk
— Ukrainian Association of Football (@uafukraine) June 26, 2024
Ukraine will regret the 3-0 defeat more than ever. Most players, like Mudryk, actually improved from the second game onward. However, everyone knows that for Ukrainians, this isn’t the biggest reason for their tears.
The entire squad is impacted by the Russian invasion that started two years ago, and the Ukrainian anthem was applauded by Belgium’s players. Perhaps this explains the lack of clarity in Ukraine’s plans.
The world feels unjust as Ukraine did not qualify despite earning four points – like everyone else. The other encounter between Romania and Slovakia ended in a “regular” 1-1 draw, which was convenient for both teams.
Belgium’s Tough Draw and the Road Ahead
Belgium might have made it through, but luck was not on their side when it came to the draw. The Belgians will face their neighbours, France, in a remake of the 2018 World Cup semifinals, as France passed an intense test to advance.
Unfinished business. 🥖 #WirSchaffenDas #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/d2VnY9grUj
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) June 26, 2024
Things have changed for both teams; neither reflects the quality of their status. Both teams boast great individuals but suffer from poor collective work.
As they prepare to face each other, this will be a true test of Belgium’s readiness – because they don’t seem prepared. France’s 1-1 draw against Poland, along with their overall campaign, has also worried their fans. Belgium has lacked dynamism, and this was evident yesterday evening. Belgian fans have every right to be frustrated despite the qualification.
Had Belgium performed better, they could have topped the group and landed in a more favorable bracket. Instead, Romania will face the Netherlands.
