Ukraine’s national football team suffered a crushing defeat in the second leg of the Nations League promotion playoff against Belgium — 0:3. With an aggregate score of 4:3, the “Blue and Yellow” failed to secure promotion to the top division.
After a 3:1 comeback win in the first match, Ukraine entered the second leg with a two-goal advantage. The head coach opted for a defensive setup with five defenders, and the team held firm in the first half, keeping Belgium from scoring — 0:0.
The second half saw Belgium ramp up the pressure. In the 69th minute, Maxim De Cuyper scored from close range after a pass from Jérémy Doku, breaking the deadlock. Just six minutes later, Romelu Lukaku doubled Belgium’s lead, assisted by Kevin De Bruyne — 2:0.
Ukraine responded with its first shot on target in the 77th minute — Artem Dovbyk connected with a low cross from Bohdan Mykhailichenko, but the Belgian goalkeeper safely collected the ball.
In the 86th minute, Lukaku sealed the win with his second goal of the match, finishing a through ball from Hans Vanaken into the far corner — 3:0.
With an aggregate score of 4:3, Belgium retained their place in Division A, while Ukraine remains in Division B of the Nations League.