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Euro 2024: Romania, Belgium & Slovakia reach last 16, Ukraine knocked out

bbc.co.uk 1 day ago

'Finishing top of the group was not a priority for either of these nations'published at 19:12
19:12
'Belgium don't seem to enjoy playing with each other'published at 19:06
19:06

Kevin De Bruyne and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco
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Group E's final day ends with every team in the same position they started - and Romania go through as group winners.

Slovakia are through as one of the best third-placed sides and - along with the Netherlands - are now a possible last-16 opponent for England. Who the Three Lions will play depends on the results in Group F's matches.

Belgium are through as runners-up and will play France, while Ukraine fail to get out of the group.

Euro 2024 Group E final standings
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The game has just come to life in the last few minutes, like a basketball game. Belgium break from a Ukraine attack, the ball eventually falls to Johan Bakayoko, who never looked like he was balanced, and he can only fire wide.

: Fans of Ukraine celebrate
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Fans of Belgium
Reuters

Milan Skriniar, at walking pace, plays a long ball all the way out of play.

This game, so entertaining for so long, may just be winding down with both sides collecting the point they need to reach the knock-outs.

Milan Skriniar
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Almost for Ukraine as a cross falls nicely for Artem Dovbyk but his shot is crucially blocked by Wout Faes.

Ukraine keep coming and Oleksandr Zinchenko soon has a shot deflect straight to the keeper.

Suddenly, after 75 dire minutes, we have a game on our hands folks!

Just under 25 minutes are left in both games, so here's how things stand:

Romania are set to top the group, with Belgium going through in second.

That would mean Belgium have a tough last-16 game against France.

Slovakia will qualify as one of the best third-placed sides and join the Netherlands in being possible England opponents in the last-16.

Ukraine are on course to miss out on reaching the knockouts.

Group E as it stands table
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Ukraine have been very organised and compact and have not wanted to open themselves up too much as to not let themselves be exposed at the back against the talent of the Belgium forward line. Belgium have struggled to break them down, Romelu Lukaku unable to test the keeper from his shot early in the half. Overall neither side has really kicked into gear.

It feels like Ukraine are trying to get to 70-80 minutes in at 0-0 and then they will bring on the substitutes and really go at Belgium. If they went at them from the off and went behind then it would have been difficult to find a way back into the game. It is much easier to do it this way, get a lead with the fresh energy off the bench and protect the lead late on.

Groups at major tournaments rarely ever end with all four teams being level with four points apiece. It has never happened at a European Championships.

The last time it happened at a World Cup was at USA '94, when Mexico, Republic of Ireland, Italy and Norway all recorded one win, one draw and one loss from their three matches.

All four sides also ended that group with the same goal difference, meaning Norway were eliminated on goals scored.

It could be almost as tight in Group E of Euro 2024.

Georgiy Sudakov went down after a coming together with Amadou Onana and stayed down.

Belgium's players tried to play on, believing he was fine (and it looks like he is) but the booing was growing strong from Ukraine's fans.

Eventually, Kevin de Bruyne put it out of play and some of his team-mates were frustrated. They were building an attack and had controlled some nice possession.

As things stand, Slovakia will win Group E.

Ukraine would finish third, meaning they join the Netherlands as a potential last 16 opponent for England - although the exact fixture will only be decided after Group F's games later.

Romania would be knocked out.

Euro 2024 Group E graphic
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Belgium are switching the ball nicely, showing their repertoire.

Looking at this Belgium defence and there is a lot of experience, but how good are they?

Jan Vertonghen has played a lot of games, but Wout Faes alongside him played in the Championship last season - you have got to think that is a bit if a weakness.

That was very easy and there was an amount of space for Roman Yaremchuk to hit that.

Ukraine have gone through the middle of the Belgium's team using two passes.

Romelu Lukaku of Belgium as Anatoliy Trubin
Media caption, Lukaku misses opportunity to give Belgium the lead

Oh hello! Belgium suddenly flick the switch with Kevin De Bruyne feeding Romelu Lukaku.

The striker collects the ball with the angle against him and probably doesn't quite get the contact he'd like, shooting straight at the keeper.

But it's a good sign for Belgium. Exactly the sort of link-up play they're after.

If asked to pick your top scorer for Euro 2024, chances are Slovakia winger Ivan Schranz would not have featured high in your thoughts.

However, the 30-year-old is joint top scorer so far with two goals having netted both of Slovakia's strikes so far at the tournament - the winner versus Belgium, and the opener against Ukraine.

Schranz, who plays his club football for Slavia Prague, sits level at the top of the scorer charts alongside Niclas Fullkrug, Jamal Musiala, Cody Gakpo and Georges Mikautadze.

But he trails the true Euro 2024 top scorer by some distance - that being own goals.

Remarkably, seven players have put through their own net at the Euros so far, most recently Donyell Malen for the Netherlands against Austria yesterday.

Ivan Schranz
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There are three changes to the Ukraine side from their crucial 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Friday.

The big news is that Chelsea striker Mykhailo Mudryk is not in the squad.

Everton left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko has recovered from an ankle injury and starts, while Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko drops to the bench.

Andriy Yarmolenko is also a substitute as Georgiy Sudakov and Roman Yaremchuk come into the XI.

Ukraine XI: Trubin, Svatok, Yaremchuk, Dovbyk, Zabarnyi, Sudakov, Mykolenko, Brazhko, Shaparenko, Matviyenko, Tymchyk.

Ukraine team graphic
Image source, BBC Sport

Meanwhile, Domenico Tedesco has made just one change to the Belgium XI who beat Romania.

Arsenal's Leandro Trossard returns, replacing Dodi Lukebakio, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in two games.

Belgium XI: Casteels, Theate, Faes, Vertonghen, De Bruyne, Tielemans, Trossard, Lukaku, Castagne, Doku, Onana.

Belgium team graphic
BBC Sport

Slovakia make one change to the side who lost against Ukraine in their second group-stage match.

David Strelec starts up front in place of Robert Bozenik.

Slovakia XI: Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda, Schranz, Strelec, Haraslin

Subs: Obert, Rigo, Gyomber, Suslov, Tupta, Benes, Rodak, Hrosovsky, De Marco, Bozenik, Duris, Bero, Ravas, Sauer, Kosa.

Slovakia XI

Romania make two changes to the side who were beaten by Belgium in their second group-stage match.

Ianis Hagi, son of Romanian legend Gheorghe, starts in place of Valentin Mihalia while Florinel Coman is the other change up front as he replaces Dennis Man.

Romania XI: Nita, Bancu, Burca, Dragusin, Ratiu, Marin, Hagi, Stanciu, Marin, Coman, Dragus

Subs: Rus, Nedelcearu, Alibec, Cicaldau, Puscas, Mihaila, Moldovan, Olaru, Tarnovanu, Man, Mogos, Sorescu, Racovitan, Birligea, Sut

Romania XI
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