Today, on March 23, the national team of Ukraine played an away replay match in the play-off stage of the League of Nations-2024/2025 against Belgium.

Three days ago in Murcia, the blue and yellow team secured a convincing victory — 3:1. Now, however, the Ukrainian national team traveled to Genk for a replay match against the Belgians. The winner of this encounter would earn qualification to League A for the 2026/2027 cycle.

Ahead of the game, our team was without right-backs — Konoplya and Sych were ruled out due to injuries. Under these circumstances, Serhiy Rebrov deployed a tactical formation with three center-backs and made four changes in the starting lineup (Swatok, Yarmoluk, Hutsulak, and Vanat came on).

Photo: Dan Balashov

The hosts were expected to immediately take the initiative, while the Ukrainians focused on counterattacks. For a long time, the blue and yellow team defended well and did not allow their opponents to create dangerous moments. Only in the middle of the first half did De Bruyne make a decent shot over the goal. Our boys responded with an unsuccessful attempt by Zinchenko.

Closer to halftime, the intensity from Belgium increased, and they regularly threatened after set pieces. For instance, after one corner kick, Vanat cleared the ball into his own net, and also De Bruyne hit the post with a free-kick shot. Nevertheless, the blue and yellow team held firm.

Photo: Dan Balashov

In the second half, the picture of the game did not change. Immediately after halftime, Castagne fired over from a free-kick, and later Lunin denied Vanaken, who was played into an open position by Dokue. On the 62nd minute, Lukaku somehow missed with several meters to goal following a corner kick. The Ukrainians responded with an unsuccessful attempt by Sudakov from a cross by Mykolenko.

Shortly after, Mykolenko was injured, and in the break Serhiy Rebrov made a triple substitution. Rudy Garcia also brought on new players, one of whom was De Cuypere, who immediately opened the scoring following a pass from Dokue. Shortly thereafter, Vanaken closed out a teammate's cross — Lunin saved his guests. However, at 75 minutes, Belgium scored again when Lukaku in falling converted a cross from De Bruyne.

Photo: Dan Balashov

The blue and yellow team responded with a header by Dovbik — Sels parried. However, the hosts did not lose their initiative, and on 86 minutes Lukaku received a pass from Vanaken and scored in the far corner to complete his brace. In summary, the players of Rudy Garcia won — 3:0 and became the winners of the two-match series. Thus, the Ukrainian national team will remain in Division B.

League of Nations-2024/2025. Play-off for a place in League A. Replay Match

Belgium — Ukraine — 3:0 (0:0)

Goals: De Cuypere (70), Lukaku (75, 86).

Belgium: Sels, Mignolet (De Cuypere, 69), Fas, Debast, Castagne, Vanaken, Rashkin (Geenen, 90), De Bruyne (c), Trossard (Salomons, 69), Lukaku, Dokue.

Substitutes: Lammens, Vandewerdt, Mokio, Openda, Lukebakio, De Winter, De Ketelare, Mechele, Batshuayi.

Coach: Rudy Garcia.

Ukraine: Lunin, Zabarnyi, Swatok (Yarmolchuk, 89), Matviyenko (c), Zinchenko, Kalyuzhnyi, Yarmoluk, Mykolenko (Mykhailichenko, 69), Hutsulak (Yarmolenko, 89), Vanat (Dovbik, 69), Sudakov (Tsigankov, 69).

Substitutes: Trubin, Ryzhnik, Bondar, Nazarina, Shaparenko, Boyal'skyi, Nazarenko.

Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.

Referee: Daniel Zibert (Germany).

Yellow cards: Rashkin (5), Vanaken (90+4) — Zabarnyi (12), Zinchenko (29), Hutsulak (45+2), Vanat (58).

March 23. Genk. Cegeka Arena.

First leg — 1:3.