This will be the first ever meeting between Ukraine and Belgium – Belgium are unbeaten in their last 22 matches when facing a side for the first time (W13 D9), since losing 1-0 in a friendly against Egypt in March 1999.
Ukraine have only lost one of their last 11 matches when facing a side for the first time (W5 D5), going down 1-0 against Malta in June 2017.
Belgium haven’t lost their final group game at any of their last six appearances at a major tournament (W5 D1), since a 2-0 loss against Türkiye as hosts in UEFA EURO 2000.
Ukraine maintained their record at the UEFA EURO of either not scoring (8 games) or scoring exactly two goals (5 games) in their 2-1 win over Slovakia on MD2. Indeed, all four of their wins at the European Championship have all been via a 2-1 scoreline.
Belgium have won six of their last seven group stage games at the UEFA European Championship, failing only against Slovakia on MD1 this year (0-1). Indeed, in the World Cup and EUROs combined, the Red Devils have won 14 of their last 18 group stage matches (D1 L3), only failing to reach the knockout rounds in one of their last six major tournaments (2022 World Cup).
Ukraine are looking to reach the knockout stages of a major tournament for a third time, also doing so at the 2006 World Cup and EURO 2020. All four of their MD3 group stage games have ended 1-0 – they won the first in 2006 against Tunisia but have lost the other three (vs England at EURO 2012, Poland at EURO 2016 and Austria at EURO 2020).
Belgium have lost just one of their last 17 games in all competitions (W11 D5), their 0-1 loss to Slovakia in their opening game of this year’s EUROs. Indeed, since the start of 2023, their one defeat is the joint-fewest by any nation at the 2024 EUROs heading into MD3, along with Switzerland.
Kevin De Bruyne has been directly involved in 31 goals in his last 32 appearances for Belgium in all competitions (12 goals, 19 assists), while he has scored three goals in his last five games for his country, as many as his previous 17 beforehand.
Roman Yaremchuk has been involved in five goals in his last seven appearances for the Ukraine in all competitions, scoring three and assisting two. Four of those have as a sub (2 goals, 2 assists) and Yaremchuk has averaged a goal or assist every 53 minutes across these seven games.
Over the opening two matchdays of this year’s UEFA European Championship, Belgium’s Jérémy Doku completed more dribbles (9) than any other player, while only Joshua Kimmich created more chances from open play (8) than Doku’s six.