Belgium vs Slovakia LIVE RESULT: Romelu Lukaku has TWO goals disallowed as early Ivan Schranz goal secures win
ROMELU LUKAKU saw TWO goals ruled out and Belgium now have a mountain to climb after suffering a shock defeat to Slovakia.
The striker had his first goal ruled out for offside and then saw a second ruled out by the snickometer - which measured a handball in the build up.
Ivan Schranz had opened the scoring for Slovakia early on after a wayward pass by Jeremy Doku.
- Kick-off time: 5pm BST
- Stream/TV: ITV1
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Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
60. That has got to hurt if you are a Belgian player or fan.
You could see the relief on all as Lukaku wheeled away after scoring that goal.
Belgium keep on probing and Trossard is the next player to draw a good save out of Dubravka.
Credit: Reuters Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
58. As Onana headed back across goal at the back post, Lukaku was in the middle unmarked to slot home.
It looked as though he was slightly ahead of his teammate and the VAR review agreed as the goal is disallowed.
Those Belgian celebrations were very short-lived.
VAR review - Offside
Goal - Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
56. Finally Belgian cause a chance to trouble the Slovakian keeper.
De Bruyne slides it into Lukaku who drills a near post shot but Dubravka blocks at his near post.
Corner for Belgian to keep the pressure on.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
54. Slovakia are looking comfortable in possession and are passing the ball around with Belgium unable to dispossess them.
This will be a worrying sight for the Belgian fans.
Their side need to find a way back into this game but so far have not given Dubravka anything to worry about.
Credit: AFP Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
52. Slovakia are not afraid of having a dig from distance at all.
Vavro has a long-range effort but it narrowly goes wide of the post.
Casteels seemed to have it covered all the way.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
50. Lukaku is penalised for getting a bit too handsy with his marker as he tried to hold the ball up.
The striker looks bemused with the decision but in all fairness it was more like a WWE move than a football one.
Lukaku does love using his strength to hold players off but went a bit over the top on that occasion.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
48. Slovakia go straight up the other end and work the ball out wide to Haraslin.
He cuts inside onto his right foot and before Trossard can get a challenge in, he tries to bend one in the far corner.
Sadly for Slovakia he cannot get enough curl on it as it goes out for a goal kick.
Not a million miles away though and will have had Casteels slightly concerned.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
46. The only change at the interval is tactical.
Trossard and Doku have switched wings, allowing the Man City man to cut inside onto his stronger foot to shoot.
De Bruyne links up with him early on and it almost pays dividends immediately but Slovakia manage to clear.
Kick-off: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
We are back underway at the Frankfurt Arena.
The Belgians have it all to do, trailing by that early goal.
Belgium get the second half started.
View from SunSport's Martin Lipton in Frankfurt
Well, that was a bit of a wild one.
Amazed there’s not been more than one goal. And Lukaku will know he should have had a hat-trick already.
Yet without that superb Casteels save to deny Haraslin, Slovakia would somehow have been two to the good.
Belgian fans are starting to get twitchy. Maybe they should change shirts at half-time. What are Belgium doing with a Portuguese knock-off? They’re supposed to wear vibrant red, not this claret monstrosity.
Then again, given they have (REALLY!!) modelled their away kit on Tintin - I am NOT kidding - the cartoon capers defending by Doku that gifted Slovakia their shock lead was to be expected.
Maybe some subs from Tedesco? Captain Haddock? The Thompson Twins? Snowy?
A big 45 minutes await. Given what happened in Qatar, defeat here and the Belgians could completely implode….
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
After such a bright start by Belgium, a loose pass from Doku while defending has cost them dearly.
Since then, Slovakia have grew in confidence and given as good as they get.
They have probably come closest to getting the second goal of the game, forcing Casteels into a great save from Haraslin's volley.
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
The referee brings the first half to a close.
This is not the scoreline we were expecting to see from this game.
Credit where it is due, Slovakia are well worth their lead.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
45. Slovakia will need to ensure that they do not give anything away now before the interval.
They have worked so hard in this first half, they deserve to go into the break with the lead.
We are going to have two additional minutes.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
43. Castagne plays a brilliant ball over the top into the path of Lukaku who is through on goal.
Sadly for the Belgian striker, he shows the deft touch of a medieval executioner as the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
Disappointing from the big man.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
41. Almost a sublime second for Slovakia.
As they come forward down the flank, the cross finds Haraslin on the edge of the box.
He hits it on the volley but Casteels makes a brilliant save to deny him.
Credit: Alamy Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
39. Belgium would be well advised to get Doku to stay forward.
He looks a liability in the defensive third and when they try to break with pace, there is no one up there to do so without him.
That Slovakian goal has certainly rattled the Belgians and they could do with the half time whistle now to regroup.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
37. De Bruyne swings the corner in and finds Onana in the box.
Leaning backwards, he cannot get the power to trouble Dubravka.
Let off for Slovakia there.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
35. Doku twists and turns out towards the byline.
He looks to cross into the box but it is well blocked by Hancko, art the expense of a corner.
It seems the full back has injured himself in the process.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
33. Slovakia stream forward once again.
They are finding a lot of space on the flanks to exploit.
However, Belgium are dealing well with the aerial threat when crosses come into the box so far.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
31. Slovakia will have surprised many so far with how evenly they have made this game.
There is no doubting the attacking threat Belgium pose but their opponents have dealt with that well.
The Belgians may live to rue that early missed chance before they fell behind when it seemed harder not to score.
Credit: EPA Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
29. De Bruyne is constantly finding pockets of space in between the midfield and defence of Slovakia.
The Falcons will need to address that if they are to stand any chance of pulling off an upset this evening.
Given time and space, De Bruyne is about as dangerous as a Tory MP with an expenses form.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
27. Once again Dubravka hits a pass straight to a Belgian.
It says something that Belgium look most dangerous when the Slovakian keeper has the ball at his feet.
The modern game demands keepers who can play football but they are about as rare as Sky TV boxes in the Sunak household.
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
25. Onana is looking pivotal to this Belgium midfield.
He is doing all the dirty work that allows De Bruyne the freedom he needs.
The Everton midfielder may not be as silky as Rodri but you can see how well this pairing will work in this tournament.
