Belgium vs. Ukraine | Nations League | Playoffs A/B | 2nd Leg | Pre Match
Belgium vs. Ukraine
Trailing by two goals from the first leg, Belgium have a mountain to climb when they reconvene with Ukraine on Sunday evening, as the pair fight it out for a place in the UEFA Nations League's top tier. The Red Devils, a team that has long been regarded as one of Europe’s footballing powerhouses, now find themselves in an unfamiliar and precarious position after a devastating second-half collapse in the first leg of this promotion/relegation playoff. What seemed like a promising start to the tie, with Romelu Lukaku’s expertly taken header just before the halftime whistle in Murcia, quickly unraveled into a nightmare for the Belgians. Ukraine, a side that has shown remarkable resilience despite the ongoing challenges of playing away from their homeland, seized control of the match after the break, capitalizing on defensive errors and clinical finishing to establish a commanding 3-1 lead. For Belgium, a nation accustomed to competing at the highest levels of international football, this deficit represents not just a tactical challenge but a psychological hurdle as well. The pressure is now firmly on new manager Rudi Garcia to orchestrate a dramatic turnaround in Genk, where his team must score at least twice without conceding to keep their League A dreams alive. With their status as a top-tier Nations League side hanging in the balance, Sunday’s clash is shaping up to be a defining moment in Belgium’s recent footballing history—a test of their character, resolve, and ability to rebound from adversity.
A stunning second-half display on Thursday gives the Ukrainians a healthy advantage before heading to Genk, putting them close to clinching promotion. The turnaround began shortly after the restart, when a glaring mistake from Belgium’s Koni De Winter gifted Oleksiy Hutsulyak an opportunity he couldn’t miss, leveling the score just three minutes after the substitute stepped onto the pitch. That goal shifted the momentum decisively in Ukraine’s favor, and they didn’t let up. Another substitute, Vladyslav Vanat, soon doubled their lead with a composed finish, catching Belgium’s defense off guard once again. Then, as if to hammer the final nail into Belgium’s coffin, Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi rose above the fray to head in a third, leaving the Red Devils shell-shocked and their fans in disbelief. This remarkable trio of goals showcased Ukraine’s depth, tactical adaptability, and ability to exploit their opponents’ weaknesses—all qualities that have defined their impressive run in 2024. Playing on neutral ground in Spain due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland, Serhiy Rebrov’s men demonstrated a level of cohesion and determination that belied their underdog status. Now, with a two-goal cushion in hand, Ukraine stand on the brink of a historic achievement: promotion to League A of the Nations League, a tier that would pit them against Europe’s elite on a regular basis. For a team ranked significantly lower than Belgium, this opportunity is a testament to their growth and tenacity, and they will be eager to finish the job in Genk.
When Romelu Lukaku headed home just before halftime, it seemed Belgium were on course for success in the away leg of their promotion/relegation playoff, but events after the break have left their League A status hanging by a thread. The veteran striker’s goal, a towering effort from a well-delivered cross, had given Belgium a slender but deserved lead after a first half in which they controlled possession and limited Ukraine’s chances. Lukaku, ever the talisman for his national team, appeared to have set the stage for a vital victory that would ease the pressure on Garcia and bolster Belgium’s hopes of remaining among the Nations League’s elite. However, the second half exposed frailties that have plagued the Red Devils throughout their disappointing 2024 campaign. Defensive lapses, poor decision-making, and an inability to adapt to Ukraine’s increased intensity turned a promising position into a full-blown crisis. Koni De Winter’s error was the first domino to fall, but it was symptomatic of a broader collapse that saw Belgium concede three goals in quick succession. For a side that boasts world-class talent like Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Lukaku himself, such a capitulation was both unexpected and inexcusable. Now, with their backs against the wall, Belgium must summon a performance of rare quality to overturn the deficit—a task made all the more daunting by their current four-match losing streak, a run that has plunged them into unfamiliar territory and raised serious questions about their direction under Garcia.
It was, therefore, a disastrous debut for new Belgium boss Rudi Garcia, who replaced Domenico Tedesco after underwhelming displays from the Red Devils at Euro 2024 and in the Nations League's group phase. Garcia, whose appointment raised eyebrows given his lackluster stint at Napoli, inherited a team in need of revitalization, but his first outing could hardly have gone worse. The 60-year-old tactician watched helplessly as his side squandered their lead and unraveled defensively, leaving him with a monumental task in his second match at the helm. Tedesco’s tenure had ended amid criticism of Belgium’s failure to maximize their golden generation, with a quarter-final exit at Euro 2024 and a dismal Nations League group stage—where they won just one of six matches—prompting his departure. Garcia was brought in to steady the ship, but his debut has only intensified the scrutiny on a squad that once topped the FIFA world rankings. The return of Thibaut Courtois, persuaded out of international retirement, was meant to be a bright spot, yet even the Real Madrid goalkeeper couldn’t stem the tide in Murcia. With Belgium teetering on the edge of relegation to League B—a fate they’ve never suffered since the Nations League’s inception—Garcia faces immediate pressure to deliver a result that not only salvages their status but also restores some semblance of pride. The stakes couldn’t be higher as they prepare to host Ukraine, a team that has already proven capable of exploiting their vulnerabilities.
Following a fairly tame display in the first half, Ukraine impressively overturned a one-goal deficit on neutral turf in Murcia, as their exile from home soil goes on. The opening 45 minutes had seen them struggle to impose themselves against a Belgium side that dictated play, but Rebrov’s halftime adjustments sparked a transformation that few could have predicted. Hutsulyak’s equalizer ignited the comeback, and from there, Ukraine’s confidence soared. Vanat’s goal showcased their attacking depth, while Zabarnyi’s header underlined their set-piece prowess, leaving Belgium reeling. This resilience has been a hallmark of Ukraine’s 2024, a year in which they’ve defied the odds to secure a playoff spot despite the logistical and emotional challenges of playing away from home due to the war. Finishing third in a tightly contested group with eight points—just one ahead of Georgia and Albania—they capped the group stage with a four-game unbeaten run that has now stretched to five with their victory in Murcia. For Rebrov, a former striker who has instilled a blend of pragmatism and flair in his squad, this playoff represents a chance to cement his legacy as a manager. Ukraine’s historical edge over Belgium, including a 0-0 draw at Euro 2024, adds further intrigue to Sunday’s clash. A similar result in Genk would be enough to secure promotion, but given their recent form, they may well aim to win outright and leave no doubt about their place among Europe’s top teams.
Before kicking off their World Cup qualifying campaign in June, Belgium are now at risk of dropping down to League B for the first time to date, so Garcia will be under pressure to produce at least a two-goal win this weekend. Meanwhile, Ukraine, who begin their own qualifiers in September, are poised to make history. Garcia may shuffle his defense after their second-half meltdown, with Wout Faes and Ameen Al-Dakhil pushing for starts, while Youri Tielemans, Lukaku, and De Bruyne remain the backbone of the side. For Ukraine, Rebrov faces a selection dilemma: stick with Roman Yaremchuk up top or hand Vladyslav Vanat a start after his impact off the bench, with Artem Dovbyk’s fitness also in question. Andriy Lunin is likely to keep his place in goal, fending off Anatoliy Trubin. With so much on the line, Sunday’s showdown promises drama, intensity, and a defining chapter for both nations.
