Sergei Rebrov's team could not withstand the pressure from their opponents, losing the advantage they had gained in the first match.
The Ukrainian national team suffered a crushing defeat to the Belgian team in the return match of the playoff for the right to play in the elite division of the next Nations League . The match in the Belgian Genk at the “Cegeka Arena” ended with a score of 3:0 .
In the first meeting, which took place on March 20 in Murcia, Spain, Sergei Rebrov's team won a strong-willed victory over the Belgians with a score of 3:1.
In the second game, the “blue-yellows” started to act defensively. In the first half, the ball possession was 76% against 24% in favor of the hosts, in shots – 7:1 (on target – 1:0). Despite the pressure from the opponent, the Ukrainians defended well and managed not to concede.
After the break, Rudi Garcia's men continued to threaten Andrei Lunin's goal several times and got what they wanted. In the 70th minute, Maxime De Kuyper opened the scoring with a low shot into the far corner after a pass from Jeremy Doku.
And already in the 76th minute, Romelu Lukaku hit the ball into the left corner with a flying kick, finishing off a cross from Kevin De Bruyne from the left flank. Thus, the score in the two-legged duel was leveled – 3:3.
In the 86th minute, the Belgians scored for the third time – Lukaku received a pass from Hans Vanaken and rolled the ball low into the far corner.
Belgium vs Ukraine Match Review
So the Ukrainian team lost to Belgium with a score of 3:4 on aggregate and failed to advance to the most prestigious Division A of the Nations League. Rebrov's team will play the next round of the tournament in Division B. The Belgians, however, retained their place in the elite.