Nations League: Ukraine Concedes Three Goals in Belgium, Remains in League B

Ukraine will spend another season in Nations League League B after a 0-3 defeat to Belgium in the second leg of the playoff round. Despite a 3-1 victory in the first leg, the Ukrainian team was unable to hold off a determined Belgian side, who overturned the aggregate score to secure their place in League A.

Before the match, experts and former players had warned against adopting a defensive "bus" tactic. However, Ukraine's approach seemed cautious, with coach Serhiy Rebrov opting for a three-center-back formation and relying on counterattacks. This strategy, while understandable given the absence of key defensive players, ultimately left the team vulnerable.

The first half saw Belgium dominate possession but create few clear chances. Kevin De Bruyne came close with a curling effort, and a dangerous corner nearly resulted in an own goal by Vladyslav Vanat, who hit the post. However, Ukraine's defense held firm, and the game remained goalless at halftime.

The second half proved more challenging for Ukraine. Belgium intensified their attacks, particularly on the left flank, where Jérémy Doku caused constant problems. Ukraine's inability to mount effective counterattacks left them under sustained pressure. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when substitute De Cuyper fired a precise shot into the far corner. Just five minutes later, Romelu Lukaku equalized the aggregate score with a well-timed header from a De Bruyne cross.

Ukraine had a chance to respond when Artem Dovbyk forced a save from Thomas Sels, but Belgium sealed the victory in the 85th minute. Lukaku completed his brace, easily outpacing Mykola Matviyenko to score his second and Belgium's third goal of the night.

With this result, Belgium retains their place in League A, while Ukraine remains in League B. While disappointing, this outcome may provide Ukraine with an opportunity to regroup and build for future competitions.

Nations League 2024-2025

Belgium - Ukraine 3:0 (0:0)
Goals: De Cuyper, 70 (1:0); Lukaku R., 75 (2:0); Lukaku R., 86 (3:0)

Belgium: Sels; Debast; Castagne; Meunier (De Cuyper, 69); Faes; Vanaken; De Bruyne; Raskin (Heynen, 90); Doku J.; Lukaku R.; Trossard (Saelemaekers, 69)
Bench: Vandevoordt; Courtois; De Winter K.; Mechele; Mokio; De Ketelaere; Batshuayi; Lukebakio; Openda
Yellow Cards: Raskin 5

Ukraine: Lunin Andriy; Zabarnyi; Matviyenko; Mykolenko (Mikhaylichenko B., 69); Svatok (Yaremchuk, 89); Zinchenko; Kaliuzhnyi; Sudakov (Tsygankov, 68); Yarmoliuk; Vanat (Dovbyk, 68); Hutsuliak (Yarmolenko, 89)
Bench: Riznyk D.; Trubin; Bondar V.; Buyalskiy; Nazarenko Ol-r; Nazaryna; Shaparenko
Yellow Cards: Zabarnyi 12; Zinchenko 29; Hutsuliak 45; Vanat 58