Ukraine was crushingly defeated by Belgium in the Nations League play-offs with a score of 0:3 23 March 2025
Kyiv • UNN
The Ukrainian national football team lost to Belgium in the return leg of the Nations League play-offs with a score of 0:3. In the sum of two matches, Ukraine failed to move up in class.
The Ukrainian national football team suffered a crushing defeat in the second leg of the play-off for a place in Division A of the League of Nations against Belgium - 0:3. In the sum of two matches, the "blue-yellows" failed to rise in class, reports UNN.
Details
On Sunday, March 23, in Genk, Belgium, at the "Segeka-Arena" stadium, as part of the return match of the League of Nations play-offs, the Belgian national team hosted the national team of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian national team qualified for the League of Nations play-offs for promotion thanks to the second position in Group B1. In the play-offs, in a two-match confrontation, the national team met with the Belgian national team. In the first match, Ukraine won a strong-willed victory and approached the game with a two-goal advantage (3:1).
Match details
- Ukraine started the match with a scheme of five defenders. In the first half, the Ukrainians did not make a single shot on target, while the "red devils" made one, but could not open the score. The first half ended without a score - 0:0.
- At the start of the second half, the "blue-yellows" continued to successfully defend against the Belgians. In the 68th minute, both teams made their first substitutions. In the Belgian national team, the substitution worked in less than a minute: Jeremy Doku passed to Maxim De Kuiper, who scored from close range into the corner of the goal.
- Six minutes later, Romelu Lukaku scored in the Ukrainian goal, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne - 2:0. Thanks to this goal, Belgium restored parity in the two-match confrontation.
- The Ukrainians made their first shot on target in the 77th minute: after Bohdan Mykhailychenko's cross, Artem Dovbyk took a shot, but the goalkeeper took the ball into his hands.
- In the 86th minute, Belgium scored the third goal against Ukraine. Hans Vanaken passed to Lukaku, after which Romelu shot accurately into the far corner - 3:0. The score on the sum of two matches - 4:3, Belgium took the lead.
Match score - 3:0 (4:3 for two matches).
Maxim De Kuiper (70th minute) and Romelu Lukaku (75th minute, 86th minute) scored for Belgium
This was the second match of the blue-yellows in the fight for promotion to the top division. Ukraine remains in Division B.
Let us remind you
On March 23, Ukraine will play the return match of the League of Nations play-offs with Belgium. Victory will open the way to Division A and improve the position in the draw for the Euro 2028 qualification.
