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:
KICK-OFF! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
KICK-OFF! Belgium get us underway in the second half. It looks like Doku and Trossard have swapped wings.
No changes at the break.
HALF-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
That was Slovakia’s fastest ever goal at a major tournament apparently, and it has put them in a great position in Group E.
If they can keep the result like this, they’ll have an amazing opportunity to qualify for the last 16.
Both teams are back out on the pitch and the second half is imminent.
HALF-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Belgium will be hugely disappointed with that first half, although Doku has shown promise and the threat provided by De Bruyne and Lukaku was evident throughout.
They will be confident of getting back into it, but they’ll need to perform far better if they’re to take three points from their Euros opener.
Conversely, Slovakia could hardly have imagined a better start. They were gifted a goal and have created a couple of good opportunities, with the only thing lacking being the final pass on a couple of occasions. On another day they could be 2-0 up!
HALF-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
47 mins
Slovakia do win two corners as the half ends, and the referee blows the whistle soon after Kucka heads wide.
A disappointing half for the Red Devils, who haven’t really got going, but a brilliant half for Slovakia!
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
46 mins
Doku thinks he’s won a corner, but Lukaku is offside when he tries to collect Faes’ long ball.
Very little activity as the half comes to an end.
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
45 mins
There’ll be two minutes of added time.
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
44 mins
De Bruyne is dropping deeper as he tries to influence the game more, but no luck so far despite Doku’s best intentions.
Another Belgium attack ends as Slovakia win a free-kick near halfway.
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
42 mins
Schranz is booked after hauling down Carrasco to stop the counter.
Suddenly Lukaku is one-v-one with Dubravka after a ball over the top from Carrasco, but he can’t fully bring it under control and his touch to take it past Dubravka is too heavy.
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
40 mins
CLOSE!
The link-up between Carrasco and Trossard hasn’t clicked yet, and the Arsenal man loses it again.
Slovakia attack again with Kucka down the right, and he delivers a pinpoint cross to Haraslin, whose volley is brilliantly saved by Casteels.
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