Slovakia pulled off a major upset in their Euro 2024 opener, defeating heavily-favored Belgium 1-0 in a dramatic match at Frankfurt. This surprising victory marked a historic moment for Slovakia, who overcame the odds to triumph against one of the top-ranked teams in the world.
The game was filled with tension and excitement, especially in the final minutes. Belgium’s star player Romelu Lukaku thought he had equalized for his team, but a video review (VAR) showed a handball earlier in the play, disallowing the goal. This was the second time VAR denied a goal for Lukaku, adding to the frustration of the Belgian side.
Slovakia’s winning goal came from Ivan Schranz, who capitalized on a mistake by Belgium’s young star Jeremy Doku. This unexpected turn of events was even more remarkable given the significant difference in world rankings between the two teams: Belgium is ranked 3rd, while Slovakia is 48th.
Despite creating numerous chances throughout the match, Belgium couldn’t find the back of the net. Lukaku had several opportunities, but his finishing was not sharp enough. Substitute Johan Bakayoko also came close to scoring, but a fantastic goal-line clearance by Slovakia’s David Hancko kept him out.
Belgium’s playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and winger Leandro Trossard also posed threats to Slovakia’s goal, but their attempts were unsuccessful. On the other side, Slovakia’s Lukas Haraslin had some dangerous chances, forcing a save from Belgium’s goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
This loss puts significant pressure on Belgium, who are already under scrutiny after their disappointing group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup. Their next match is against Romania, who also surprised everyone with a 3-0 victory over Ukraine. Meanwhile, Slovakia will be looking to build on their momentum when they face Ukraine in their next game, brimming with confidence after this unexpected victory.
Belgium’s “Golden Generation” Fades
This result highlights Belgium’s changing team dynamic. Several key players from their successful “golden generation,” like Eden Hazard and Toby Alderweireld, are no longer part of the squad. This tournament is also the first major competition without their long-time goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. While Belgium remains highly ranked, they don’t seem as dominant as before, and this loss to Slovakia was certainly not what their fans were expecting.
Lukaku’s Missed Chances Haunt Belgium
Romelu Lukaku’s inability to convert his chances will be a major talking point for Belgium. This echoes their struggles at the World Cup, where he failed to score in a crucial draw against Croatia. Although he caused trouble in the box with his movement, he lacked the finishing touch that Belgium needed. Other attacking players like Trossard were also quiet, and Doku, despite his attacking contributions, made the mistake that led to Slovakia’s goal.
As Belgium fans expressed their frustration, Slovakia players and fans celebrated a historic victory. This win will surely boost their confidence for the rest of the tournament, as they look to continue their strong performance and possibly cause more surprises.
