Belgium will hope to extend a record that has lasted since 2000 when they square off against Ukraine on Wednesday evening.

For the first time in a number of major tournaments, the Red Devils are not regarded as one of the favourites to win Euro 2024.

However, before they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Slovakia in their opening fixture, Belgium had gone 14 games without a loss under Domenico Tedesco.

On Saturday evening, Belgium responded with a 2-0 victory over Romania, who many had tipped to upset their most illustrious opponents based on the manner that they had disposed of Ukraine in their opening game.

Intriguingly, all the teams in Group E are now on three points after two games, effectively making the fixtures on matchday three elimination contests.

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Belgium bidding to extend run from Euro 2000

Belgium are favourites to earn a place in the last 16 through a top-two spot, whether that be through a draw or a second successive victory.

From an historical perspective, achieving that target is in their favour having not lost in six final-matchday fixtures in a row.

A total of five victories and one draw have been posted since they suffered defeat to Turkey when they were co-hosts of Euro 2000.

Even if Belgium suffer defeat, there is a scenario where they could still qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

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First-ever meeting between Belgium, Ukraine

Incredibly, Wednesday's fixture in Stuttgart will represent the first time that these two nations have ever met on the international stage.

From Belgium's standpoint, they have remarkably put together a 22-match run where they have avoided losing to a first-time opponent.

As for Ukraine, just one defeat has been posted in their last 11 such fixtures, with their only setback coming against Malta in 2017.

Ukraine also head into this contest on the back of a 2-1 success over Slovakia. Each of their four wins at a European Championship have come by that scoreline.

Written by
Darren Plant