Slovakia beat Belgium live updates (2024)

• Slovakia, ranked 48th in the world by FIFA, beat Belgium, ranked third
• Ivan Schranz gave Slovakia early lead after mix-up in Belgian defence
• Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku twice saw goals disallowed
• Romania upset Ukraine 3-0 in the other Group E game today

Belgium have lost their first match since November 27, 2022, when they were defeated by Morocco in the group stage of the World Cup,

That ends the second-longest unbeaten run in Belgian history, 15 matches.

What a remarkable game. One where the numbers would only ever tell a slither of the story. Still, here are those numbers…

FT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

• Possession: 60% — 40%
• Shots: 16 — 10
• On target: 5 — 4
• XG: 1.91 — 0.59
• Big chances: 4 — 1
• Blocked shots: 5 — 2
• Duels won: 39 — 37
• Dispossessed: 2 — 11

The way Slovakia dug in and won duels in those final 10 minutes was fantastic, and it made sure they took advantage of those decisions that went in their favour.

But all those numbers point to the fact it should have been much better for Belgium, regardless of the narrow VAR calls.

Who saw these two results coming?! Here's how the table looks after the first pair of matches.

1. Romania: 3 points, +3 goal difference
2. Slovakia: 3 pts, +1 gd
3. Belgium: 0 pts, -1 gd
4. Ukraine: 0 pts, -3 gd

Lukaku will get the bulk of the criticism today, but this has been a uneven performance from captain De Bruyne as well. He's overhit a lot of passes and he's limited by a lack of burst when carrying the ball.

A famous and unexpected win for Francesco Calzona's side.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

It's the biggest upset in Euros history according to the FIFA rankings!

90+7' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Strelec wins the ball in midfield and Suslov is able to sprint away down the left wing. He eventually loses possession but he has still run valuable seconds off the clock.

Moments later, Belgium launch an errant cross that runs out for a goal kick and Slovakia can really feel it now!

90+4' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Slovakia are doing everything they can to run out the clock here. Duda goes down and receives treatment as he's being substituted.

Adam Obert comes on as Slovakia's final sub.

90+2' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Suddenly Slovakia look utterly exhausted, despite all the substitutions. These are going to be a long seven minutes. Imagine how daunting they would have felt had Belgium just drawn level...

90+1' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

You could not make this up. Belgium were celebrating. They were convinced they had equalised courtesy of Lukaku's thumping finish, and were preparing to kick the game off again in frantic search of a winner.

Then for the second time, the VAR check goes against them. Openda is penalised for the faintest of handballs as he scrapped with Vavro on the left touchline in the build-up to the goal. The mood of those in red is mutinous on and off the pitch.

90+1' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Slovakia fans will hate that, as seven minutes are added on to the end of the match.

89' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Openda did indeed handle the ball in the build-up and Lukaku has had a second goal disallowed today!

88' Belgium 1-1 Slovakia

But hold on! I spoke too soon. VAR are indeed checking this goal, for a potential handball by Openda in the build-up.

86' Belgium 1-1 Slovakia

Belgium have finally broken through! Lukaku levels the match and this one will count!

85' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Lukebakio emulates Tielemans in getting booked immediately after coming on, getting penalised for a poor foul on Hancko in Slovakia's box.

84' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Belgium have now missed at least four big chances in a European Championship game for the first time since 1980 against Spain.

The good news is they did reach their one and only Euros final that year...

84' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Belgium make their final subs of the match, replacing Jeremy Doku and Yannick Carrasco with Lois Openda and Dodi Lukebakio.

83' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Duda wins a corner off Bakayoko and Slovakia have another opportunity to keep the ball as far away from their own goal as possible.

They're so close to securing what would be a massive upset here.

81' Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Slovakia make their third sub, replacing the man who scored in the seventh minute Ivan Schranz with David Duris.