Slovakia surprised everyone at Euro 2024 on Monday with a 1-0 victory over Belgium, due to an underdog goal from Ivan Schranz. According to FIFA rankings, Francesco Calzona’s squad is 45 places lower than third-placed Belgium.

However, their daring play in Frankfurt called the purported quality discrepancy between the clubs into question.

Calzona would be “delighted” with a draw after serving as Napoli’s interim manager in the second part of the season.

After breaking his nine-game goalless streak in international play, Schrаnz stunned Belgium with an outing the Italian could only imagine.

For Belgium, Romelu Lukaku missed several chances and had a late equaliser controversially rejected by the video assistance referee.

Slоvаk Republic’s shocking victory opened up Group E, shortly after Romania’s 3-0 thrashing of Ukraine on Monday.

Belgium suffered a humiliating defeat and may perhaps again fall short of expectations in a major championship.

 

Belgium’s golden generation has lost much of its lustre after failing in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

Despite being considered as a potential dynasty, the Red Devils have failed to go beyond the quarterfinals in the last two European Championships. Their highest finish was third place at the 2018 World Cup.

Dominic Tedesco led Belgium to a 14-match winning streak before the 2023 European Championship after taking over for Roberto Martinez in February.

Kevin De Bruyne has earlier indicated that Belgium was ready to achieve “something good” in Germany before their last match.

They are under enormous pressure to win their second group game against Romania on Saturday after returning to form with a sputtering display.

The Pain of Lukaku

In the second minute, Belgium’s Rоmelu Lukаku could have scored his 86th goal for the country. He is now playing in a record-breaking eleventh game at major championships.

De Bruyne deftly pushed Jeremy Doku’s cross towards Romelu Lukaku after the winger turned on the halfway line and dashed menacingly into Slovakia’s penalty area.

Lukaku had a great chance to score, but his effort from close range was stopped by Slovakian custodian Martin Dubravka.

Just a few moments later, he made another threat, but he missed Doku’s ball as he ran towards the goal.

Slovakia took the lead in the seventh minute because to Lukaku’s sloppy play.

In an attempt to clear the ball, Doku made a sloppy pass that Robert Bozenick expertly backheeled to Juraj Kucka.