Ukraine impressively beat Belgium in the Nations League match: game analysis
21 March 10:40
on March 20, the national team of Ukraine played its first match of the 2024/2025 Nations League playoffs against Belgium. The match, which took place in Murcia, Spain, was the first this year for both teams and ended with an unexpected victory for our team with a score of 3: 1, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the tournament regulations, the third teams of League A groups meet the second teams of League B groups in the fight for places in League A of the 2026/2027 cycle. Ukraine, as a representative of League B, hosted Belgium in the first match of the two-round confrontation.
On the eve of the match, the Ukrainian team suffered losses – Taloverov withdrew due to injury and was replaced by the recalled Svatok. Dovbyk and Bondar were left out of the squad. Lunin appeared in the starting lineup, Sudakov took a position on the left wing of the attack, and Yaremchuk acted at the forefront of the attack.
The first minutes of the match were dominated by the Ukrainian team. Tsygankov and Yaremchuk had good opportunities to open the scoring, but Belgian goalkeeper Courtois showed his class. The Belgians responded with several dangerous moments, including Lukaku’s chance to score, but he was beaten by Lunin. In the 25th minute, Konoplya was injured and replaced by Sych.
Gradually, the initiative passed to the Belgians. De Bruyne was close to a goal, but the real success came to the Red Devils in the 40th minute, when after De Bruyne’s cross from a standard, Lukaku sent the ball into the net with his head – 0: 1.
The second half began with an unsuccessful shot by Mykolenko and brilliant saves by Lunin after De Bruyne’s shots. In the 60th minute, Zinchenko hit the post with a direct free kick, and Tsygankov’s header was parried by Courtois.
An injury to the second right back Sych forced Rebrov to make a triple substitution in the 62nd minute. Yarmolyuk made his debut for the national team, and Zinchenko moved to the right flank of the defense. These changes proved decisive. In the 66th minute, Oleksiy Hutsulyak, who had just entered the field, intercepted the ball from De Winter and scored a one-on-one with Courtois – 1: 1. This is Hutsulyak’s first goal for the Ukrainian national team.
The blue and yellows caught the momentum and took the lead in the 73rd minute: Sudakov passed to Tsygankov on the flank, and the latter’s shot was closed by Vanat – 2: 1.
Five minutes later, the Ukrainians scored for the third time – after a corner kick, Zinchenko made a second-step pass, and Zabarny skillfully sent the ball into the goal – 3: 1.
The Ukrainian team confidently brought the match to a victorious conclusion. The return match will take place on March 23 in Genk, Belgium, at the Cegeka Arena stadium. The match starts at 21:45 Kyiv time.
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Tactical picture of the game
An important factor in the victory was the tactical changes made by head coach Serhiy Rebrov. Initially, the Ukrainians started the match in the usual scheme, but in the first half it became obvious that Rebrov was making adjustments. After the break, he changed the team’s structure, which allowed them to press the opponent more effectively, intercept the ball in the center of the field and create dangerous counterattacks.
Belgium, on the other hand, used a five-defender formation, which, at first glance, should have provided the team with defensive reliability. However, this scheme later proved to be insufficient to contain the Ukrainians. Although the Belgians tried to organize counterattacks through the flanks and actively used fast players, their defense remained vulnerable. This allowed the Ukrainians to control the game and force the opponent to lose the ball frequently.
One of Belgium’s biggest problems was their play in the center of the field. Due to the aggressive pressure of the Ukrainians, the Belgians could not realize their attacks. The ball often got to the opponent, which allowed Ukraine to quickly move to the attack and create dangerous moments. In addition, mistakes in passing and insufficient ball control in the midfield also proved critical for the Belgians.
The physical readiness of the Ukrainian players also played a role in this victory. They showed high endurance and the ability to maintain a high pace throughout the game. Unlike Belgium, where the players started to lose speed and concentration towards the end of the match, Ukraine managed to keep their energy up and finish the game with confidence.
Thanks to successful tactical changes, a high level of physical fitness and the use of the opponent’s weaknesses, Ukraine deservedly won the match. Rebrov successfully adapted his team to the requirements of the game, forcing Belgium to make mistakes and doing everything possible to achieve a positive result on the field.
League of Nations 2024/2025. Playoffs for a place in League A. First match
Ukraine – Belgium 3: 1 (0: 1)
march 20. Murcia. Enrique Roca de Murcia Stadium.
Goals: Hutsulyak (66), Vanat (73), Zabarny (78) – Lukaku (40).
Ukraine: Lunin, Konoplya (Sych, 25, Yarmolyuk, 62), Zabarny, Matvienko (c), Mykolenko, Kalyuzhny (Nazarina, 88), Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Shaparenko (Vanat, 62), Sudakov, Yaremchuk (Hutsulyak, 62). Substitutes: Trubin, Riznyk, Mykhailichenko, Svatok, Yarmolenko, Buyalsky, Nazarenko. Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.
Belgium: Courtois, Meunier, Mehele, De Winter (Raskin, 80), Debast, De Kuiper (Mokio, 88), Tielemans, De Bruyne (Vanaken, 70), Trossard (Salemakers, 80), Lukaku (c), De Ketelare (Luquebakio, 70). Substitutes: Lammens, Sels, Al-Dahil, Faz, Batshuayi, Heinen, Doku. Coach: Rudy Garcia.
Referee: Sandro Scherer (Switzerland).
Warned: Tielemans (68).
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