Two Italian coaches at the helm (Tedesco and Calzona) could raise fears of a minimal spectacle between Belgium, favorite of Group E, and Slovakia. However, after the surprising 3-0 inflicted by Romania on Ukraine, a new surprise took place in the first minutes. Jérémy Doku, whose accelerations had immediately offered two chances to Lukaku, who missed them, made a mistake defensively, and offered a golden ball to the Slovaks, in the heart of the area. Schranz slipped a nice backheel towards Kucka, Casteels pushed back, but the ball returned to the first named, who punished Belgium (0-1, 7th).
The Red Devils were immediately punished for their lack of defensive discipline, but also for their offensive inefficiency, embodied by Lukaku who had wasted two caviars in the 3rd and 5th minute, notably because of the opposing goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Above all, this goal cut off the Belgian legs, legs that only Doku seemed to have. No change of pace, a blatant lack of control in the midfield, while the Slovaks displayed tremendous accuracy. Like a magnificent action which led to a volley from Haraslin, released by Casteels (40th).
Lukaku frustrated by his clumsiness and video refereeing
Conversely, Romelu Lukaku showed an unworthy clumsiness, for which he is sometimes mocked, once again in the 43rd minute, completely missing the goal when he had been launched alone in the depth. Upon returning from the locker room, the Calzona players continued to play their football, without complexes. Haraslin found the post with a clear shot (48th), Vavro sent a missile from 30 meters which grazed the target. But they weren’t taking the break. Lukaku shot Dubravaka again, then finally found the fault with a header from Onana. The goal was, however, logically canceled for offside (56th).
Belgium finally intensified its efforts, and Tedesco launched Bakayoko in place of Mangala, very disappointing. The waves continued on Dubravka’s goals, and it took heroic resistance from the Slovak players to prevent the equalizer. The more the minutes passed, the more the Belgians gave the sensation of physically breaking down. And the players coming into play did not transform the offensive face of the team. At least until a breakthrough from Lois Openda, who served Lukaku behind. Aim ? Yes but no. The VAR alerted the referee of a slight hand from Openda when controlling the ball. New goal refused. The score therefore finally stopped moving. Belgium thus begins its tournament with a surprising defeat against Slovakia.
