Ukraine and Belgium meet in their third group stage match at UEFA EURO 2024, each seeking a crucial win to bolster their chances in Group E. This showdown marks the teams’ first ever encounter at this level, with the group’s dynamics hanging finely in the balance.
What You Need to Know
- Date and Time: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 5 PM BST
- Venue: MHPArena (Stuttgart Arena), Stuttgart, Germany
- Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
- Where to Watch (UK): BBC Sport, ITV UK
Same Day Matches
- Slovakia vs. Romania (Group E)
- Georgia vs. Portugal (Group F)
- Czechia vs. Türkiye (Group F)
Ukraine vs Belgium: Some Context
Ukraine and Belgium’s paths in EURO 2024 mirror each other so far, with the teams recovering from an opening defeat to secure a win in their second match. Both approach this encounter knowing a win could be pivotal in advancing from Group E, currently led by Romania. The stakes couldn’t be higher and history hints at an intriguing battle.
Belgium, traditionally strong in their last group games at major tournaments, haven’t lost in such fixtures in their previous six attempts at major tournaments. Ukraine, on the other hand, comes into the match holding a peculiar record at the EURO: if they score, it’s always been exactly two goals. Their performance against Slovakia might give them the needed confidence boost.
Despite being first-timers against each other, both teams have impressive records facing new opponents. Belgium hasn’t lost to a first-time opponent in 22 matches since 1999, and Ukraine’s similar record only sees one loss against a new opponent since 2017.
Expectations and Predictions
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UKRAINE
Likely opting for a 4-2-3-1 formation, Ukraine will look to solidify their midfield and possibly exploit the wings, focusing on maintaining a balance between defending and quick counter-attacks.
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BELGIUM
Belgium may want to rely on a 4-3-3 setup, aiming to use their strength across the midfield to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities. Despite the defeat in their opening match, the Red Devils have shown to have the capacity to bounce back.
What we can expect
Ukraine and Belgium both have sophisticated tactics that cater to their team strengths which makes predicting the outcome tricky. Belgium’s track record of pushing through the group stages and their resilient performance might give them a slight edge. However, Ukraine’s tendency to pull off strategic wins, especially evidenced in their most recent games, can’t be ignored.
This match, together with the Slovakia-Romania encounter on the same day, will determine who advances from Group E, making it a crucial and must-watch battle. With both teams aiming for nothing less than victory, expect a tightly contested and strategic match that will be vital in deciding the group’s final ranking heading into the knockout stages.