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

Now we know how the land lies after the opening games of Group E, it’s all eyes on the second game in Group F.

It’s the World Cup runners-up France in Euro 2024 action for the first time, as they take on Austria in Dusseldorf.

And the great news is you can follow that one with us live too. All you need to do to follow France vs Austria is head here.

What a day for Slovakia then, as they produce the first major upset of the 2024 European Championship — beating Belgium, the world’s third-ranked side.

Slovakia are just 48th in FIFA’s rankings, but continued a trend of early goals in this tournament.

Then there were two key VAR interventions — both ruling out Romelu Lukaku goals.

That meant a disappointing start to the Euros for a Belgium side whose last tournament appearance was a miserable elimination at the 2022 World Cup.

Grab all you need to know from events in Frankfurt thanks to Carl Anka and Paddy Boyland, with the link below.

This is probably more of a worry though. Belgium have now failed to convert any of their last 47 shots in major tournaments — that is essentially World Cups and European Championships.

The figure includes 11 big chances.

What a waste, and the root of their issues against Slovakia today.

And it was all going so well. As much of an upset as that was, it is also Belgium first defeat since November 27, 2022. That was against Morocco in the group stages of the Qatar World Cup.

With that, the second-longest unbeaten run in Belgian men's football is over after 15 matches: 10 wins, five draw.

So, Romelu Lukaku recorded an expected goals value this afternoon of 0.82. And yes, that does exclude his two disallowed goals.

The xG value for the entire Slovakia team that just won 1-0? That would be 0.59.

Ouch.

Interesting contrast.

Slovakia team celebrating a famous win.

Belgium doing their team huddle on the field. De Bruyne - the furthest figure in red - was the last figure to join as he was apologising to fans.

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!