Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction after VAR rule out two Romelu Lukaku equalisers
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia: Lukaku thought he had rescued a point with a 86th minute equaliser but VAR ruled the goal out due to handball as Slovakia held on to claim the shock of the tournament so far
Slovakia delivered the first major shock result of Euro 2024, snatching an early goal and defending furiously to hold on for a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Group E.
Ivan Schranz took advantage of a horror defensive error to put Slovakia ahead in the seventh minute and kept Belgium at bay with increasing desperation to secure an unexpected triumph at the Frankfurt Arena.
Belgium’s top scorer Romelu Lukaku twice had the ball in the net but was denied after VAR checks, first for offside in the 56th minute and minutes from the end when Lois Openda was adjudged to have handled in the build-up before the striker swept the ball into the net.
Slovakia joined Romania at the top of the group standings after their 3-0 win over Ukraine on Monday. Follow all the latest reaction below before the evening match between Austria and France:
Ukraine will have no shortage of motivation against Romania as both teams look to get off to a winning start in this Group E fixture at Euro 2024.
Serhiy Rebrov’s side are appearing at their first major tournament since Russia’s invasion in 2022 and will be determined to put on a show for the fans facing war at home.
Romania may be tricky opponents, however, are impressed with an unbeaten run in their qualifying campaign, with Belgium and Slovakia joining them in Group E.
Ukraine have quality, too, and will look to Chelsea forward Mykhailo Mudryk and striker Artem Dovbyk, LaLiga’s top scorer last season, to provide threat.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Is Romania vs Ukraine on TV? Channel, time and how to watch today
Ukraine will be ones to watch at Euro 2024 as Serhiy Rebrov’s side begin their campaign in Munich against Romania
Euro 2024: Romania vs Ukraine LIVE
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Euro 2024 - today we head into Group E for the first time where Romania are taking on Ukraine first, followed by a clash between Belgium and Slovakia at 5pm BST.
Later on we’ll also be bringing you coverage of World Cup finalists France, in action against Austria in Group D - but first our focus is on the 2pm BST kick-off.
Ukraine reached the Euros via the play-off paths, beating Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland to do so, while Romania topped their qualifying group unbeaten to reach their first major tournament in eight years. They haven’t won a game at any tournament since 2000, though, so there’s plenty of history to rewrite for them yet.
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