The Belgium golden generation has since played in 5 consecutive major tournaments starting from WC 2014.
In all final group games played, Belgium has kept 100% cleansheets and won 4 out of 5 matches (80%). Results are shown below for easy ref:
2014▪︎1-0 vs South Korea
2016 ▪︎1-0 vs Sweden
2018 ▪︎1-0 vs England
2020 ▪︎ 2-0 vs Finland
2022 ▪︎ 0-0 vs Croatia
The goalless draw against Croatia in most recent final group game encounter in WC22 ultimately kicked them out of the tournament. This serves as a painful reminder not to slip again tonight. Like Belgium, both Germany and Denmark has since learnt from their WC22 lesson to reach R16 this time round.
A cleansheet draw automatically ensures R16 qualification meeting France as runner-up while a convincing victory outscoring Romania puts them on the easiest knockout path as Group E winner. It is obvious what the Belgians are aiming for tonight.
While the 2 nations have never met before, do note that Belgium has registered all 5 wins against Russia in all competitive matches (100%). The Belgium golden generation has maintained 2 cleansheet wins out of 2 (100%) against Russia in both major tournaments played since 2014, ie 1-0 in WC2014 & 3-0 in Euro2021. Ukraine will be out of Euro, regardless of how the other 12am match evolves.
Prediction:
Belgium to win
Belgium 1-0 2-0 3-0 Ukraine
Belgium to score first
