Today, March 20, the national team of Ukraine played a home match against Belgium in the play-off stage of the Nations League-2024/2025.

According to the regulations, teams from third place in Group A and second place in Group B of the 2026/2027 Nations League cycle were meeting. The latter, including Ukraine, started their matches on their home turf. Our team faced Belgium, their opponent at Euro-2024. Today's match took place in Murcia, Spain, marking the first encounter between the teams and a new year debut for both national sides.

The day before, Ukraine lost Taloviyev, with Svatak called up as a replacement. Dobych and Bondar were left out of the match squad. Lunin made his appearance in the starting lineup, Sudakov took the left wing position, while Yaremchuk played upfront.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The Ukrainians started the match well, creating two good opportunities - Tsygankov and Yaremchuk tried to score but Courtois saved them. The Belgians responded with their own two unsuccessful attempts; Lukaku had a chance after a cross, but Lunin intercepted it. In the middle of the first half, Konoplya was injured and replaced by Syts.

Gradually, Belgium took control, launching dangerous attacks. For instance, in one episode De Bruyne's clever shot nearly hit the far corner. At the 40th minute, Kevin delivered a set-piece from the left flank that Lukaku headed into the net, opening the scoring.

Photo: Dan Balashov

At the start of the second half, Mykolenko weakly shot from the right side; then Lunin made two saves after shots by De Bruyne. At the 60th minute, Zinchenko scored a direct free kick against the post, and Tsygankov cleared it to Courtois' hands. The Belgians responded with an attempt by Tielemans into the goal.

Meanwhile, another right-back was injured - Syts. Serhiy Rebrov reacted with a triple substitution, including allowing Yarmoluk's debut appearance; Zinchenko moved to defense. The wildcard turned out to be Hutsulak, who on the 66th minute dribbled past De Winter and scored against Courtois in a one-on-one situation, equalizing the score. For Oleksiy, this was his first goal for Ukraine.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The Ukrainians seized the momentum, and on the 73rd minute scored again: Sudakov passed to Tsygankov on the flank, whose cross was headed in by Vana. Shortly after came a third goal when Zinchenko delivered a second tempo corner kick that Zabarnyi masterfully finished.

The Ukrainians played out the rest of the match excellently and secured an impressive victory - 3:1. The return leg will take place in Belgium's Ghent at Cegeka Arena on March 23 (kickoff at 9:45 PM Kyiv time).

Photo: Dan Balashov

Nations League-2024/2025. Play-off for Group A spot. First match

Ukraine - Belgium - 3:1 (0:1)

Goals: Hutsulak (66), Vana (73), Zabarnyi (78) — Lukaku (40).

Ukraine: Lunin, Konoplya (Syts, 25, Yarmoluk, 62), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (c), Mykolenko, Kalyuzhnyi (Nazaryna, 88), Zinchenko, Tsygankov, Shaparenko (Vana, 62), Sudakov, Yaremchuk (Hutsulak, 62).

Substitutes: Trubin, Ryzhnik, Mykhaylichenko, Svatak, Yarmolenko, Boyal'skyi, Nazarenko.

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.

Belgium: Courtois, Mignolet, Meulemeester, De Winter (Raskin, 80), Debast, De Cuyper (Mokito, 88), Tielemans, De Bruyne (Vanaken, 70), Trossard (Salemackers, 80), Lukaku (c), De Ketelare (Lukebakio, 70).

Substitutes: Lammens, Selles, Al-Dahil, Fas, Batshuayi, Geenen, Dokou.

Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).

Yellow card: Tielemans (68).

Murcia, March 20. Enrique Roque de Murcia Stadium.