Slovakia surprised everyone at Euro 2024 on Monday, defeating Belgium 1-0 thanks to an underdog goal from Ivan Schranz. According to FIFA rankings, Francesco Calzona’s team is 45 places below behind third-placed Belgium.

However, their courageous performance in Frankfurt brought the alleged quality gap between the teams into question.

Calzona would be “delighted” with a draw after acting as Napoli’s temporary manager for the second half of the season.

After snapping his nine-game goalless skid in international action, Schranz astonished Belgium with an outing that the Italian could only have imagined.

For Belgium, Romelu Lukaku squandered many opportunities and had a late equaliser controversially denied by the video assistant referee.It can be a group of 17 people, some of whom are looking for a job, some of whom are looking for a home, and some of whom are looking for a partner.

Slоvаk Republic’s stunning victory opened up Group E, following Romania’s 3-0 thumping of Ukraine on Monday.

Belgium suffered a devastating defeat and may once again fail to meet expectations in a major championship.

Belgium’s golden generation has lost much of its glitter after failing to advance beyond the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

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

After replacing Roberto Martinez in February, Dominic Tedesco guided Belgium to a 14-match winning streak before of the 2023 European Championship.

Prior to their most recent match, Kevin De Bruyne stated that Belgium was prepared to achieve “something good” in Germany.

They face huge pressure to win their second group game against Romania on Saturday after returning to form with a stuttering performance.

Rоmelu Lukаku of Belgium had the opportunity to score his 86th goal for his country in the second minute. He has now appeared in an unprecedented eleven major championship games.

De Bruyne expertly directed Jeremy Doku’s cross towards Romelu Lukaku after the winger twisted on the halfway line and ran menacingly into Slovakia’s penalty area.

Lukaku had a wonderful chance to score, but his shot from close range was saved by Slovakian custodian Martin Dubravka.

He made another threat a few moments later, but this time he missed Doku’s ball as he sprinted towards the goal.

Slovakia took the lead in the seventh minute, thanks to Lukaku’s clumsy play.

Doku attempted to clear the ball with a weak pass, which Robert Bozenick neatly backheeled to Juraj Kucka.