Belgium, ranked third in the world, suffered a shocking defeat against Slovakia in the European Championship. Despite being the favorites to top Group E, Belgium’s wastefulness in front of goal and a controversial VAR decision contributed to their downfall.
The match started with Belgium squandering several chances, with star striker Romelu Lukaku failing to convert multiple opportunities. As the game progressed, Lukaku had two goals disallowed by the VAR. The first was clearly offside, but the second decision was more contentious. Referee Halil Umut Meler reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before disallowing the goal due to a handball by Belgium substitute Lois Openda. Many, including former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton, criticized the decision, calling it “scandalous” and stating that the goal would have stood in the Premier League.
Despite their dominance in possession and chances created, Belgium failed to score and ultimately lost 1-0 to Slovakia. This defeat marked their first loss in 15 matches under manager Domenico Tedesco. It also highlighted their struggles in major tournaments, as they have now gone 47 shots without finding the back of the net. Additionally, they missed four big chances in a single Euros game for the first time since 1980.
The victory for Slovakia, ranked 48th in the world, was a monumental achievement. The players and staff celebrated passionately on the pitch, recognizing the significance of defeating one of the world’s top three teams. Slovakia defender David Hancko described their win as a result of playing with heart and happiness.
Belgium’s disappointment was compounded by the fact that they had numerous opportunities to score. The 16 chances they created should have been enough to secure victory, but their inability to convert proved costly. Lukaku, in particular, was criticized for his wastefulness. Former striker Chris Sutton remarked that Lukaku could have already secured the Golden Boot, awarded to the tournament’s top goalscorer, if he had been more clinical in front of goal.
While the VAR decision played a role in Belgium’s defeat, it was emphasized that their profligacy in front of goal was the main reason for their premature exit. Manager Domenico Tedesco remained confident in Lukaku’s ability to score goals and expressed that the disallowed goal was just one error among many in the match.
Belgium now faces an uphill battle as they aim to avoid another early exit from a major tournament. Their next match against group leaders Romania will be crucial in determining their fate in the competition.