Slovakia stuns Belgium in Group E opener with a victory. Ivan Schranz scored the game’s only goal, while Romelu Lukaku had two potential equalizers controversially disallowed after VAR reviews.
TALKING POINT – WHERE DO BELGIUM GO FROM HERE?
Belgium once had the potential to contend for major trophies, highlighted by their memorable win over Brazil at the 2018 World Cup. However, they never reached a major final, and their golden generation has aged. Some veterans remain in the team due to a lack of alternatives, while others have been replaced by less experienced players.
Given this situation, Belgium might need to consider changes. Coach Domenico Tedesco could refresh his lineup with younger talent. Lois Openda, who impressed as a substitute, deserves a starting spot, and Johan Bakayoko showed more potential to create opportunities than Leandro Trossard.
Beyond personnel changes, a shift in mindset is crucial. Slovakia’s victory was fueled by greater determination and desire. They didn’t just play to win; they played to give everything they had. If Belgium had matched this intensity, the outcome might have been different. Adopting a similar attitude could help the Red Devils regain their competitive edge.
At first glance, the latter incident seemed unproblematic, but VAR quickly noticed the ball inadvertently glancing off Openda’s hand in the build-up and advised referee Halil Umut Meler to review it. Meler accepted the video official’s recommendation, controversially denying Lukaku once more.
Domenico Tedesco’s side, flat and frustrating for the most part, still created four ‘big chances’—their most in a Euros game since 1980 against Spain—but were unable to breach a stubborn Slovakia, who now top Group E alongside Romania.
Slovakia will face Ukraine on Friday, knowing that another win would secure their place in the last 16.
Analysis: Will Belgium ever live up to the hype?
Perhaps Belgium are cursed, or simply unlucky. Maybe this ‘golden generation’ isn’t as good as the hype—or their third-place FIFA ranking—suggests. Whatever the issue, they consistently underperform on the big stage.
Lukaku was wasteful, Kevin de Bruyne off-colour, and Leandro Trossard ineffective. Domenico Tedesco’s side underwhelmed across the pitch, despite creating four ‘big chances’ and an xG of 1.91.
Game by game, the shine is flaking off Belgium’s reputation as one of Europe’s stellar sides. This is a team of individuals, far from a cohesive unit of tournament winners.
Yet, there was something unjust about their defeat in the opener. For all their obvious shortcomings, Lukaku did have the ball in the net twice. The first was ruled offside, which was clear-cut.
The second decision, however, was more contentious. This type of officiating has drawn suspicion and skepticism, often seen as ‘re-refereeing.’ Lois Openda did handle the ball, but whether that constitutes handball is subjective. Many believe such VAR interventions mar the game. The jury is still out.
Regardless, Belgium must improve to avoid a repeat of Euro 2022, where they crashed out in the group stage.
Key stats
- Belgium have failed to score for the first time in nine EURO matches.
- Lukaku became Belgium’s record EURO appearance-holder with 11 in total.
- This is Belgium’s seventh EURO appearance and third in succession. They reached the quarter-finals at EURO 2016 and EURO 2020.
- Slovakia are the first team to deploy two outfield players aged 37 or more in their starting XI in a EURO final tournament match – Juraj Kucka (37) and Peter Pekarík (37).
- Slovakia had won only one of their previous five EURO matches (D1 L3).
- This was the first meeting between Belgium and Slovakia since a 2-1 home win for the Belgians in a friendly in February 2013.