Slovakia caused their first surprise of Euro 2024 when Ivan Schranz fired the underdogs in a 1-0 win over Belgium on Monday. Francesco Calzona’s team is 45 places below Belgium, third in the FIFA world rankings. But they mocked the supposed difference in quality between the teams with a courageous performance in Frankfurt. Calzona, who also served as Napoli’s interim coach in the second half of last season, admitted he would be “delighted” with the draw. The Italian achieved more than he could have dreamed of as Schranz left Belgium reeling after ending their nine-game international drought.
Romelu Lukaku wasted a number of opportunities for Belgium and had a late equalizer controversially ruled out by VAR.
Slovakia’s unexpected victory opened Group E, just hours after Romania defeated Ukraine 3-0 in Monday’s other game in that group.
It was a bitter loss for Belgium, who are at risk of once again not reaching their potential in a major tournament.
Belgium’s golden generation has lost much of its luster since being knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage.
The Red Devils have crashed out of the quarter-finals at the last two editions of the European Championship, making third place at the 2018 World Cup the high point for a talented but underperforming team that was once hailed as a potential dynasty.
Dominic Tedesco was appointed to replace Roberto Martinez in February 2023 and led Belgium on a 14-game unbeaten run en route to the Euros.
Before what was seen as a last hurrah for Belgium’s veteran stars, Kevin De Bruyne insisted they were ready to do “something good” in Germany.
But instead they reverted to type with a boisterous display that put them under intense pressure to beat Romania in their second group game on Saturday.
Playing a Belgian-record 11th game at major tournaments, Lukaku should have scored his country’s 86th goal in the second minute.
Jeremy Doku turned expertly in midfield and accelerated menacingly into the Slovakia box, where his cross was deflected to Lukaku by De Bruyne.
Lukaku looked certain to score but his close-range effort went straight to Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
He threatened again moments later, only to let Doku’s pass slip away after scoring the goal.
Slovakia punished Lukaku’s sloppiness and took the lead after seven minutes.
Doku was guilty of a poor pass as he tried to clear, allowing Robert Bozenick to deftly deflect the ball to Juraj Kucka.
Koen Casteels saved Kucka’s shot but could do nothing about the rebound as Schranz shot from an acute angle.
Lukaku endured a nightmare night and again took a regrettably heavy touch to waste a good chance from Yannick Carrasco’s low pass.
Belgium’s anguish increased in the 56th minute when Lukaku was denied by a Dubravka save near the post.
From the resulting corner, Amadou Onana headed over Dubravka and Lukaku slid in to score from a yard out, only for his celebrations to be cut short when VAR ruled he was offside.
Belgium closed in on the Slovakia goal but Dubravka saved well from Trossard and Lukaku fired into the side netting before Johan Bakayoko’s effort was deflected over the line by David Hancko.
And in a fitting coda to an unforgettable day for Belgium, Lukaku struck in the 86th minute but saw the goal disallowed by Lois Openda for handball in the build-up.
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