Belgium Stages Stunning Comeback to Stay in Nations League A
Belgium secured a dramatic comeback win over Ukraine to retain their Nations League A status, with Romelu Lukaku scoring twice in a 3-0 victory.
Belgium secured their spot in Nations League A with a stunning comeback victory over Ukraine. Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the Red Devils produced a remarkable turnaround, scoring three goals in 16 minutes to win 3-0 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate.
From the onset, Belgium pressed aggressively, determined to overcome their two-goal deficit. However, Ukraine's defense held firm, with Oleksandr Svatok blocking Thomas Meunier's shot and Zeno Debast firing his attempt over the crossbar. Despite this, Belgium persisted, relying on Kevin De Bruyne's creative spark to drive their attacks.
De Bruyne came tantalizingly close to scoring with a curled strike from the edge of the box, only to be denied by the woodwork. Ukraine finally mustered their first shot in the 27th minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko, but he sent it wide. The visitors' persistent time-wasting tactics had already begun to frustrate the home crowd at Cegeka Arena, and Zinchenko was subsequently booked for his troubles.
The Belgians' emotions shifted from frustration to incredulity as they squandered several scoring opportunities. Hans Vanaken's shot ricocheted off Romelu Lukaku and went wide, while Vladyslav Vanat's header from a corner clipped his own post. Kevin De Bruyne's free-kick was then tipped over by Andriy Lunin, leaving the Belgian fans stunned.
The pattern continued after the restart, with Timothy Castagne rushing a shot over the crossbar. De Bruyne's attempt was blocked by Oleksiy Gutsulyak, and Lunin instinctively denied Vanaken. Leandro Trossard fired off-target, and Mykola Matviyenko expertly deflected Lukaku's shot wide, conceding a corner. Lukaku then headed wide from a prime opportunity, leaving the Belgian fans bewildered.
A double substitution in the 69th minute proved pivotal for Belgium. Rudi Garcia's tactical switch paid immediate dividends as Maxim De Cuyper combined with Jérémy Doku, sliding the ball past Lunin to break the deadlock. The pressure intensified, and Belgium scored again just six minutes later. Lukaku acrobatically volleyed home from De Bruyne's cross, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Ukraine's Artem Dovbyk responded with a header that was expertly tipped wide, while Belgium's Alexis Saelemaekers came close at the other end. As the match intensified, both teams pushed forward in search of a decisive goal, with Ukraine adopting a more adventurous approach.
In the 86th minute, Belgium sealed their stunning comeback. Romelu Lukaku received a perfectly weighted through-ball from Hans Vanaken and delivered a clinical first-time finish. This goal not only secured Belgium's spot in UNL League A but also handed Ukraine their first defeat in six matches, condemning them to another season in League B.
No comments:
Leave comment here