Ukraine falls to Belgium in Women's EURO 2025 playoff decider

03.12.2024 23:10

Today, December 3, Ukraine’s women’s national team played the second-leg match of the EURO 2025 qualifiers second-round playoff against Belgium.

In the first playoff round, Volodymyr Pyatenko’s team overcame Turkey (1:1, 2:0). In the second round, the Blue and Yellows faced Belgium, who had advanced past Greece with a commanding 5:0 aggregate win (0:0, 5:0).

In the first leg, held in Antalya, Ukraine suffered a 0:2 defeat. The decisive second leg took place today in Leuven.

Photo by Dan Balashov

The opening half saw Belgium dominate early, but Ukraine gradually found their footing. However, the hosts came closer to scoring, with Kelyushyk denying Erlings’ effort and Korsun's near-own goal being overruled.

Photo by Dan Balashov

Ukraine began the second half strongly, testing Belgium's goalkeeper Lichtfus through Ovdiychuk and Korsun. Belgium, on the other hand, posed their main threats from set-pieces but lacked precision. However, in the 67th minute, Toloba converted a backheel pass from Wullaert to break the deadlock.

Photo by Dan Balashov

In the 79th minute, Ukraine equalized as Shmatko pounced on a rebound after Lichtfus saved Hlushchenko’s initial effort from a corner. Yet Belgium sealed the win with a last-minute strike by Wullaert, making it 2:1. The hosts thus secured their place at EURO 2025.

Women's EURO 2025. Playoffs. Second Round. Second Leg

Belgium - Ukraine - 2:1 (0:0)

Goals: Toloba (67), Wullaert (90) – Shmatko (79).

Belgium: Lichtfus, Cayman (De Keene, 62), Tysiak, Kees, Janssens, Vangavermaet, Wullaert (c), Missipo, Janssens (Delacauw, 72), Van Kerkhove (Delus, 62), Erlings (Toloba, 62).

Head coach: Yves Serneels.

Ukraine: Kelyushyk, Korsun, Apanashchenko (c), Shmatko, Petryk, Andrukhiv (Hiryn, 46), Khimych, Semkiv (Pantsulaya, 76), Ovdiychuk, Kalinina (Kozlova, 68), Kravchuk (Hlushchenko, 76).

Head coach: Volodymyr Pyatenko.

Referee: Iuliana Demetrescu (Romania).

Booked: Petryk (59), Khimych (63), Hiryn (90+1).

December 3. Leuven. Den Dreef Stadium.

First leg: 2:0.

As a reminder, the group stage of the EURO 2025 qualification awarded direct spots to the tournament for the top two teams in each League A group: Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. Host nation Switzerland also qualified directly. The remaining seven spots were decided in two playoff rounds, with Portugal, Finland, Belgium, Wales, Poland, Norway, and Sweden claiming the final tickets.

The EURO 2025 final tournament draw, featuring 16 teams, is set for December 16.