Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE RESULT: Romelu Lukaku has TWO goals disallowed as early Ivan Schranz goal secures win

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

23. Slovakia are still asking questions of the Belgian defence.

This has been end-to-end stuff in the opening 20 minutes or so.

For the neutral, this is the Euro 2024 they wanted to see.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

21. Belgium are almost gifted an equaliser.

Dubravka, Newcastle number one for the majority of this season, opts to assume the role of Slovakian clown for a moment.

His poor clearance goes straight to Trossard, who has the chance to loft it over him, with the keeper well off his line.

However, the Arsenal attacker shows all the finishing prowess of teammate Gabriel Jesus as he sends it sailing over the crossbar.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

19. Belgium are looking susceptable at the back.

They do have some key players out injured but at times, Slovakia are walking through them.

This is not going according to plan for De Bruyne and co.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

17. Despite their FIFA ranking, Slovakia have a lot about them.

They are not direct by any stretch of the imagination and look to get the ball down and play it.

Belgium are trying to force things a little too much now with that Slovakian goal having silenced the Red Devils' fans.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

15. Slovakia were always going to play a counter-attacking game today against one of the fancied teams for the trophy.

Having got that early goal, this plays into their hands even more now.

Belgium will have to throw caution to the wind much earlier than they would have done at nil-nil, leaving them open to that counter.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

13. Belgium win a free kick and it gives De Bruyne a chance to loft a dangerous ball into the box.

There is lots of pulling and shoving amongst attackers and defenders and his cross runs out harmlessly for a goal kick.

You can see the tactics there from Slovakia to deal with the threat of Lukaku.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

11. It is amazing how much of a difference this semi-automatic offside calls are making to VAR.

The technology has been seamless in all bar one of the games so far.

And it is no surprise that the one exception was where a PGMOL official was involved.

The lunatics running the asylum in the Premier League it seems.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

9. Doku has gone from potential hero to zero.

It was his defending and loose pass that gifted the ball to the Slovakians and boy did they punish them.

The Man City winger has a lot of making up to do now to his teaammates and country.

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

7. If you wondered if there was an Achilles' heel to this Belgian side, here it is.

Trying to play out from the back in the corner, Slovakia press and force a wayward pass.

As they collect the loose ball, the shot is saved but Schranz is there to drill it home at the back post.

This could be the shock result we have yet to see.

Belgium 0-0 Slovakia

5. Belgium look so dangerous on the attack.

Slovakia just cannot cope with Jeremy Doku.

He finds Romelu Lukaku but his shot is blocked by the onrushing keeper on the edge of his box.

Trossard picks up the loose ball but dwells on it for too long before getting it into the box and the keeper gathers.

Belgium 0-0 Slovakia

3. Somehow, the scores are still level.

Doku cut in from the right as he ghosted past the Slovakian players.

He lays it off to De Bruyne who stretches out a leg but the keeper blocks it.

It drops to Lukaku, who seems certain to score, but once again the keeper saves.

View from SunSport's Martin Lipton in Frankfurt

No shortage of Slovak fans inside the Waldstadion (as it used to be called)  - and no shortage of them at breakfast in my hotel either.

My fault for not getting there earlier….but all the scrambled eggs were gone. Hashtag #poormartin

They’ve made the three mile journey from the centre of town and are in good voice, although significantly outnumbered by the Belgian supporters who look to be in expectant mood.

This COULD be fun…..

Belgium 0-0 Slovakia

1. This should be an interesting contest this evening.

Many have already written off Slovakia, including the bookies.

They are a good football team and if Belgium have an off day, they could cause an upset.

View from SunSport's Martin Lipton in Frankfurt

Belgium go into the match as strong favourites, despite their nervousness.

As a measure of the difference in status, Lukaku - still nominally a Chelsea player with two years left on his Stamford Bridge contract despite not playing for the Blues for the past two seasons - has scored 12 tournament goals in his career.

Slovakia, admittedly only a separate football nation for 30 years after the break-up of the former Czechoslovakia, have scored NINE in total.

View from SunSport's Martin Lipton in Frankfurt

We need to talk about Kevin.

Kevin De Bruyne, that is.

The fulcrum of Manchester City for the Guardiola glory era, but who is suddenly looking vulnerable, uncertain, no longer what he was.

That huge eight inch scar on his right hamstring is the visible evidence of why the doubts are swirling.

But with most of Belgium’s “Golden Generation” now part of Red Devils’ history, De Bruyne has to show he is still able to mesmerise and cajole.

Belgium were a mess in Qatar, a squad riven by internal doubts and squabbles, De Bruyne’s observation that the team was “too old” fair but damaging.

This is a different Belgium but still looking to the City man and Romelu Lukaku for inspiration.

The heat is on, too. If Belgium are not right, Slovakia’s aggressive press could really undo them.

Belgium’s injury issues have continued, with Axel Witsel ruled out while Thomas Meunier is still recuperating back home, so Leicester’s Wout Faes is partnered by Anderlecht rookie Zeno Debast at the back.

Belgium starting XI:

The Red Devils name a strong side to take on Slovakia this evening in Frankfurt.

1. Casteels, 11. Carrasco, 2. Debast, 4. Faes, 21. Castagne, 24. Onana, 18. Mangala, 9. Trossard, 7. De Bruyne, 22. Doku, 10. Lukaku