Euro 2024: Slovakia Stun Mighty Belgium

Euro 2024: Slovakia Stun Mighty Belgium

Unthinkable. Speaking of upsets, this is big in the Euro 2024 tournament. Slovakia have never thought of beating Belgium.

But Slovakia have now done it to make history. The goal in the 7th minute by Schranz wins the Euro 2024 opening game in the group.

Come to think of it, both Romania and Slovakia were expected to be the group wiping boys. But first Romania shocked Ukraine 3-0, and now Slovakia have humbled Belgium

Every one tips Belgium to win all its matches in this group with Ukraine second. But after the 2 opening group matches, it’s Ukraine and Belgium who will have headaches going into the next Euro 2024 matches.

They will need to win, or face exit from the Euro 2024 tournament.

Match Highlights

90+7 minutes. Game over. Great result for Slovakia.

85th minute. The goal is ruled out again for a handball.

But, wait! The goal is being checked for a handball touch leading to the goal.

Goaaaal. It’s Lukaku who makes a close finish. Belgium 1 Slovakia 1

76th minute. Slovakia nearly score but Belgium keeper saves for a corner. This would have killed Belgium.

What a story it would be if Slovakia wins, with both underdogs in the group leading the group.

71st minute. Slovakia press more without threatening. Belgium catch them on the counter but the attackers couldn’t finish.

62nd minute. Belgium on the rise. They’ve had 2 shots blocked from Lukaku. Now, Bakayoko misses a seater with his shot knocking down a Slovakia player. Seems he has to get treatment.

55th minute. Goal-Belgium. After his shot is blocked in the 54th minute, Lukaku has the ball in the net. VAR rules the goal offside after a close check. It remains 1-0 for Slovakia.

52nd minute. Still Slovakia 1 Belgium 0. Belgium look out of sorts, with Slovakia holding out well and threatening on the counter attack.

Half-time. Belgium 0, Slovakia 1. Belgium has more possession 53% vs 47% for Slovakia. But Slovakia has 4 shots on target against 2 for Belgium.

Both have 6 shots off-target. It has been a balanced match with Lukaku missing 2 clear chances.

Slovakia start perfectly against Belgium with a goal in the 7th minute by Schranz.

Brief about the two teams

Belgium and Slovakia have a long history of political and economic ties, with both countries being located in Central Europe.

While Slovakia became an independent country in 1993 after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Belgium has remained a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

Today, both countries are members of the European Union, NATO, and the Schengen Area. They share cultural and linguistic similarities.

Belgium has three official languages, Dutch, French, and German. Slovakia’s official language is Slovak.