Euro 2024 witnessed its first main shock of the match as Slovakia shocked Belgium 1-0 in Frankfurt.
Slovakia, showing at simply their third European Championship as an impartial nation, claimed the well-known victory by means of Ivan Schranz’s effort in solely the seventh minute.
The Pink Devils missed numerous probabilities to equalise, significantly by means of the luckless Romelu Lukaku who had two targets dominated out by VAR.
However Slovakia held on to deal Belgium’s their first defeat in 15 video games below Dominico Tedesco and blow Group E large open following Romania’s 3-0 win over Ukraine.
Because it occurred
Belgium made a optimistic begin to the sport, with Lukaku lacking two nice alternatives to provide his facet an early lead in Frankfurt.
However out of nowhere Slovakia have been 1-0 up as Jeremy Doku gifted the ball away to permit Juraj Kucha to strike at purpose.
Koen Casteels saved the hassle however may solely parry it to Schranz, who discovered the web from a good angle and stun their much-fancied opponents.
A horrible defensive error items Slovakia the lead in opposition to Belgium 🇸🇰#Euro2024 | #BELSVK pic.twitter.com/V3zuosaL2S
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) June 17, 2024
The Pink Devils instantly tried to re-assert their dominance however some disciplined Slovakian defending stored clear-cut probabilities to a minimal, with Leandro Trossard denied earlier than Amadou Onana headed straight at Dubravka from a nook.
And the Repre have been so almost 2-0 up because the half-time whistle edged nearer, with Casteels at full stretch to maintain out a unbelievable first-time volley from Lukas Haraslin.
Moments later Romelu Lukaku spurned one other glorious alternative to stage after the Chelsea striker was performed by means of for a one-on-one by an excellent by means of ball by Yannick Carrasco.
Lukaku introduced the ball down earlier than opting to take the ball around the goalkeeper as a substitute of taking pictures and his heavy contact went out of play.
The 31-year-old’s unhealthy luck continued within the second half when he thought he had equalised from shut vary just for VAR to conclude he had drifted simply offside when Onana headed the ball throughout.
Belgium thought they’d equalised… just for it to be referred to as offside… ❌#Euro2024 | #BELSVK pic.twitter.com/eYcqUhGflw
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) June 17, 2024
Belgium continued to try to flip the screw as Trossard blasted an effort at Dubravka – however the Newcastle stopper was as soon as once more equal to it.
A interval of dominance remained as Lukaku as soon as once more fired large earlier than some last-ditch defending denied substitute Johan Bakayoko with simply over an hour on the clock.
Slovakia survived the onslaught and grew again into the sport, with midfielder Stanislav Lobotka proving a specific nuisance in stopping Belgian assaults and distributing play.
And so they may simply have doubled their lead by means of David Strelev however the substitute’s backheel was turned away for a nook by Wout Faes.
Belgium and Lukaku thought that they had lastly made the breakthrough with 4 minutes of time remaining as he slotted dwelling with 4 minutes to go.
However a lot to Slovakian supporters’ pleasure, the Belgian ahead noticed his effort dominated out after a handball by Lois Openda within the build-up – a choice which is bound to spark some debate.
One other Lukaku equaliser is disallowed by VAR ❌
Slovakia so near an upset right here 👀#Euro2024 | #BELSVK pic.twitter.com/CIe2KO6EoL
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) June 17, 2024
Kevin De Bruyne continued to guide the push for an equaliser within the dying moments however his weak effort was simply collected by Dubravka.
But it surely was clear it was not Belgium’s day and Slovakia held on for a consequence that can go down within the nation’s folklore for years to return.
What subsequent for Belgium and Slovakia at Euro 2024?
Ukraine and Belgium can have been the groups anticipated to qualify for the knockout levels, so defeats for each groups has blown Group E large open.
It’s unlikely to get any simpler for Tedesco’s males as they face Romania on Saturday night, a nation on a excessive after their historic 3-0 win over Ukraine.
Slovakia have a unbelievable alternative to succeed in the knockout levels for the primary time and can fancy their possibilities of extra glory in opposition to Ukraine on Friday.
