Lukaku's late double leads Belgium win over Ukraine
Belgium vs Ukraine
Belgium retained their place in League A of the Nations League with a stunning 3-0 home win over Ukraine on Sunday, a result that showcased their resilience and attacking prowess as Romelu Lukaku’s late double ultimately propelled them to a 4-3 aggregate victory in a tie that had seemed destined to slip from their grasp. The match, played in front of an electrified home crowd, was a testament to Belgium’s ability to turn the tide even when the odds appeared stacked against them. Ukraine had entered the second leg with a commanding two-goal advantage, earned through a spirited comeback in the first leg, and for much of the game, they seemed poised to defend that lead with a disciplined performance. Andriy Lunin, Ukraine’s goalkeeper, stood as a formidable barrier, thwarting Belgium’s relentless attacks with a series of impressive saves that kept his side in control. Belgium, despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, found themselves frustrated by their inability to convert their superiority into goals, their efforts repeatedly stymied by Lunin’s agility and Ukraine’s resolute defending. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the clock ticked on, with the hosts pushing forward in waves but seemingly unable to find the breakthrough they so desperately needed. It was a match that encapsulated the fine margins of international football, where one team’s dominance can be rendered meaningless without that decisive moment of quality, and for a long stretch, it appeared that Ukraine’s stubborn resistance would see them through to a historic triumph over one of Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
However, the game’s complexion changed dramatically in the 70th minute when Belgium finally breached Ukraine’s defenses, a moment that shifted the momentum irrevocably in their favor. Substitute Maxim De Cuyper, brought on to inject fresh energy into the attack, proved to be the catalyst, scoring with a clinical first-time effort that showcased both his composure and the incisiveness of Belgium’s play. The goal came from a swift, incisive move initiated by Jeremy Doku, whose quick pass sliced through Ukraine’s backline and found De Cuyper in the perfect position to strike. The roar of the crowd signaled not just relief but a renewed belief that the tie could still be turned around, and it was a strike that exposed the first real crack in Ukraine’s previously impregnable defense. Up until that point, Ukraine had weathered the storm admirably, with Lunin’s heroics and a well-organized defensive structure keeping Belgium at bay. But De Cuyper’s goal opened the floodgates, giving Belgium a lifeline and igniting a late surge that would ultimately prove too much for their opponents to handle. It was a moment of brilliance in an otherwise frustrating evening for the home side, and it set the stage for a dramatic finale that would see Belgium’s star players step up when it mattered most, turning a potential defeat into a memorable victory.
The equalizer in the tie came just five minutes later, as Romelu Lukaku asserted his dominance with a breathtaking volley that left Lunin with no chance and sent the Belgian fans into raptures. The goal was a thing of beauty, born from a pinpoint cross by Kevin De Bruyne, whose vision and precision remain unrivaled on the international stage. De Bruyne, drifting into a pocket of space on the right, delivered a ball that arced perfectly into Lukaku’s path, and the striker met it with a thunderous strike that rocketed into the net—a finish that underscored why he remains one of the most lethal forwards in world football. The 2-0 scoreline on the night leveled the aggregate at 3-3, but the momentum had swung decisively in Belgium’s favor, and the Ukrainian side suddenly looked vulnerable after holding firm for so long. The goal was a testament to the enduring partnership between De Bruyne and Lukaku, a duo whose understanding has been a cornerstone of Belgium’s success over the years. Yet, Ukraine nearly snatched back their advantage moments later, as Artem Dovbyk rose to meet a cross with a powerful header that seemed destined for the net. It was only the quick reflexes of Matz Sels, standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, that kept Belgium in the game, his sprawling save preserving the deadlock and ensuring that the hosts retained a fighting chance. That moment of near disaster only heightened the drama, as both teams teetered on the edge of triumph and collapse, the outcome hanging in the balance with every passing minute.
As the match entered its final stages, it was Lukaku who delivered the decisive blow, sealing Belgium’s aggregate victory in the 86th minute with a low, driven shot that finally beat Lunin and secured their place in League A. The goal came from a well-worked move that saw Belgium patiently probe Ukraine’s tiring defense, with Lukaku lurking in the box, waiting for his moment. When the ball fell to him, he dispatched it with the kind of ruthless efficiency that has defined his international career, drilling it past Lunin, who had been a colossus between the posts but could do nothing to stop this effort. It was Lukaku’s 88th goal for Belgium, a staggering tally that further cements his status as the country’s record goalscorer and a talisman for the national team. The strike not only clinched the 3-0 win on the night but gave Belgium a 4-3 triumph over the two legs, a result that felt improbable for much of the evening but was a fitting reward for their persistence and quality. Lunin, despite his earlier heroics—including a couple of key saves that had kept Ukraine in contention—could only watch as the ball nestled into the net, his resistance finally broken by Belgium’s unrelenting pressure. The Ukrainian side, who had fought valiantly and come so close to pulling off an upset, were left to rue their inability to hold firm in the closing stages, their dreams of toppling Belgium dashed by a late onslaught they simply couldn’t repel.
The victory was a statement of intent from Belgium, a team that has often been labeled as underachievers on the biggest stages but showed here that they possess the character and talent to overcome adversity. For much of the match, they had been the better side, controlling possession and creating chances, yet it was their ability to stay composed and capitalize on their opportunities late in the game that made the difference. Lukaku’s brace was the headline-grabbing contribution, but it was a collective effort that saw them through—Doku’s creativity, De Bruyne’s genius, De Cuyper’s impact off the bench, and Sels’ crucial intervention all played their part in a triumph that will linger in the memory of Belgian fans. For Ukraine, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow after their heroics in the first leg and their dogged display for much of the second, but they can take pride in pushing a team of Belgium’s caliber to the brink. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, a clash between two sides with contrasting styles and ambitions, and it was Belgium’s star power and late-game resolve that ultimately tipped the scales. As the final whistle blew, the celebrations in the stands reflected not just relief but a sense of pride in a team that refused to give up, ensuring their survival in League A and keeping their hopes alive for future glory in the Nations League. For Lukaku, De Bruyne, and their teammates, it was a night to savor, a reminder of what they can achieve when they click into gear, even against the toughest of odds.
