Ivan Schranz scored a seventh-minute winner as Slovakia stunned Belgium in Group E at UEFA Euro 2024.
Ivan Schranz scored the seventh-minute winner on the rebound after he pounced upon Koen Casteels’ deflection of Juraj Kucka’s shot.
Slovakia sit second in Group E behind Romania who sat top following a shock 3-0 victory over Ukraine, through goals from Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin and Denis Dragus.
Belgium will next meet Romania on Saturday 22 June at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time), whilst Slovakia face Ukraine on Friday 21 June at 3pm CEST (2pm UK Time).
Over in Group D, Netherlands remained top of the table by virtue of scoring twice against Poland yesterday (16 June) after France only beat Austria 1-0 through Maximilian Wober’s own-goal.
Entering this tournament without the ‘Golden Generation’ tag which had hung over the team in the last decade, Belgium almost took a third minute lead but Martin Dubravka saved Kevin De Bruyne’s shot.
Slovakia however provided an early surprise after Jeremy Doku’s pass from the left corner was intercepted and flicked to Kucka, who saw his shot blocked by Koen Casteels but Schranz was alert to rifle in the rebound shot to put the Slovakians into a shock seventh minute lead.
Belgium however weren’t fazed by their sloppy error and continued to press which caught Slovakian goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka out in the 21st minute as his goal-kick was intercepted by Leandro Trossard who curled over the bar.
Casteels however spared Belgium’s blushes with a 40th minute block of Lukas Haraslin’s shot on the volley.
Belgium two minutes later missed a huge chance to equalise as Yannick Carrasco played a long ball towards Romelu Lukaku, but the striker could only flick his shot wide when one-on-one against Dubravka who protected Slovakia’s lead into the half-time break.
Slovakia however were aware that they needed a second goal to kill off the game but Denis Vavro fired wide from long range in the 52nd minute.
That miss gave Belgium hope of an equaliser which seemingly came four minutes later after Trossard’s shot was put behind for a corner, from which Lukaku slid Amadou Onana’s knockdown header.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) however deemed Lukaku offside and the goal was disallowed.
Trossard saw another effort denied by Dubravka before David Hancko made a crucial block in the 62nd minute from Johan Bakayoko’s shot, but collided with his own teammate – Vavro in the process although he was able to continue after treatment.
Belgium continued to push and found their equaliser in the 86th minute as Lukaku turned in a low cross from substitute, Lois Openda, yet VAR ruled the goal out after Openda handballed in the build-up.
Slovakia eventually survived seven minutes of injury-time to claim a shock win and complete an opening pair of shocks in Group E, following Romania’s surprise result over Ukraine.
Belgium now face a must-win game against Romania if want to stand any chance of realistically advancing as one of the top two teams from Group E, whilst Slovakia face Ukraine knowing that a win would guarantee a top-three finish in the group.
Teams
Belgium – Koen Casteels, Yannick Carrasco (Lukebakio 84′), Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Timothy Castagne, Amadou Onana, Orel Mangala (Bakayoko 57′), Leandro Trossard (Tielemans 74′), Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku (Openda 84′), Romelu Lukaku
Substitutes: Johan Bakayoko, Maxim De Cuyper, Charles De Ketelaere, Thomas Kaminski, Axel Witsel, Dodi Lukebakio, Lois Openda, Matz Sels, Arthur Theate, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Jan Vertonghen, Aster Vranckx
Slovakia – Martin Dubravka, David Hancko, Milan Skriniar, Denis Vavro, Peter Pekarik, Ondrej Duda (Obert 94′), Stanislav Lobotka, Juraj Kucka, Lukas Haraslin (Suslov 70′), Robert Bozenik (Strelec 69′), Ivan Schranz (Duris 81′)
Substitutes: Mateus Bero, Laszlo Benes, Vernon De Marco, Norbert Gyomber, Patrik Hrosovsky, Sebastian Kosa, Adam Obert, Henrich Ravas, Tomas Rigo, Marek Rodak, Leo Sauer, David Strelec, Tomas Suslov, Lubomir Tupta, David Duris
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