Wasteful Belgium sneaks through to face France
Belgium limped into the UEFA Euro 2024 knockout stages after a goalless draw with Ukraine, setting up an enticing Round of 16 meeting against France.
Domenico Tedesco's side had several golden opportunities but was unable to make them count as Ukraine was eliminated from the competition on goal difference, as all four Group E teams finished level on points.
Romania's 1-1 draw with third-placed Slovakia was enough to send it through as group winner on goals scored, while Belgium finished second with a superior goal difference.
Romelu Lukaku threatened to open his tournament account early on after being picked out by Kevin De Bruyne but failed to trouble Anatolii Trubin with his effort.
The Red Devils continued to dominate possession but failed to convert it into gilt-edged chances, with De Bruyne's inventive near-post free-kick the closest Tedesco's side came.
Ukraine posed a threat on the break, however, and almost took the lead when Roman Yaremchuk's cross narrowly evaded Artem Dovbyk in the six-yard box.
De Bruyne and Lukaku combined again in the second half, but the same result followed as the Red Devils' all-time top scorer saw his tame attempt easily gathered.
The introduction of Yannick Carrasco sparked Belgium into life, with his stinging effort palmed away by Trubin as they looked to find a winner.
Yet Ukraine went the closest late on as Ruslan Malinovskyi's audacious corner-kick almost caught Koen Casteels out at his near post.
However, the winning goal for both sides ultimately eluded them, with Belgium now facing the difficult task of facing the two-time European champion France on Tuesday (AEST) in Dusseldorf.
Belgium failed to capitalise on several promising opportunities, registering just four shots on target from 10 attempts, underperforming its expected goals (xG) by 0.28.
Lukaku's woes continued in front of goal and he is still yet to find the target at UEFA Euro 2024.
The Belgium striker had the joint-most shots (two) and shots on target (two) but should have done much better with his opportunities.