Belgium became the latest high profile team to stumble into the Euro 2024 knockout rounds this evening, with their 0-0 draw with Ukraine meaning that they booked a last-16 spot by finishing second in their group.
Group E was the tightest group at that tournament, with all four teams heading into the final round of fixtures level on three points. Belgium knew that a draw against Ukraine would be enough to secure their place in the knockouts, with Slovakia and Romania in a similar scenario in the other fixture.
In the end, the two draws meant that Ukraine were eliminated as they finished bottom on goal difference. Romania topped the group, with Belgium and Slovakia in second and third respectively.
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RTÉ pundits clash over Belgium antics vs Ukraine
As one the top ranked sides in the world, Belgium would have been expected to beat Ukraine in this game. Doing so would have also ensured they topped the group and put them on the kinder side of the draw, whereas they will now be taking on France in the last-16.
Their actions in the closing moments of the game suggest that there were not all that bothered by that scenario.
With the clock ticking into the red and with the scores level, Belgium would attempt to waste time in the corner in order to see out the game. They did not go for a winner, despite the fact that a goal would have seen them top the group.
This move has split opinion, especially in the RTÉ studio.
Shay Given had no issue with the way Belgium saw out the game, believing it was wise to prioritise getting a draw instead of going for the winner. In contrast, Kenny Cunningham would label their lack of ambition as 'almost embarrassing'.
This would lead to some raised tensions between the pair.
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‘Borderline embarrassing’ - @No1shaygiven and @RichieSadlier disagree with Kenny Cunningham’s criticism of Belgium in not pushing for a winning goal #euro2024
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Cunningham: They had no ambition to go and win the game. The sight of Kevin De Bruyne and one of his teammates keeping the ball in the corner flag with seconds to go with an opportunity to score a goal, win the game, and top the group, I thought it was borderline embarrassing what I was watching. I couldn't believe it.
Given: I don't think it's embarrassing at all. You're in the fourth minute of injury time. If Belgium lose the game they're out of the tournament. There is nothing embarrassing about. Belgium had 90 minutes to win the game, I agree with you that they weren't good enough.
They were poor and under par, but I've no qualms about holding the ball for the last 30 seconds at the corner flag in the Ukraine half.
Cunningham: They're playing France (in the last 16).
Given: I don't care who they're playing... So Belgium put the ball in the box and Ukraine score on the breakaway?
Cunningham: You don't do that Shay, you negate that by putting two players at the back.
Given: We've seen that happen many times before, they break from a corner and score, it's not beyond the realms of that happening. For me it's fine...
Cunningham: It's an indication of their mentality. To see Kevin De Bruyne, a man of his ambition and drive and the type of personality that he is, that gives me an indication of his mindset and where the team is. Clearly he has no confidence in the team.
You can see both sides of the argument here, although Belgium were probably wise in their move to simply see out the game and ensure that they would reach the knockout stages. While this was yet another poor performance, being eliminated at the group stages would have been an unmitigated disaster.
They will have the chance to redeem themselves during the remainder of Euro 2024, although that will be no easy task considering the route they are faced with from this point onwards.
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