Postpublished at 47 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Jeremy Doku is fed by Kevin de Bruyne, but before Doku can get a shot away, Denis Vavro sticks in an important leg to challenge.
Summary
Slovakia stun Belgium to win in Frankfurt
Ivan Schranz scored only after mix-up in Belgian defence
Romelu Lukaku has two second-half goals ruled out by VAR
Romania beat Ukraine 3-0 in earlier Group E game
Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Postpublished at 47 mins
Postpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 17 June
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Back under way. Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard have switched flanks, with Doku now on the left and Trossard on the right.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 17 June
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Eni Aluko
Former England forward on ITVBelgium have had their chances but that connection, that last little bit is lacking.
They have to be more clinical.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 17 June
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826
Kyle: Those hammering Lukaku could be eating humble pie at full-time. 85 goals in 115 games for his country is stunning. If he gets more chances and he probably will, I would fancy him to score. He's a top striker.
Shaun:No wonder Trossard didn't want to pass to Lukaku, his tournament form is woeful. How on earth does he have 85 goals at international level?
England start with a winpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 17 June
Serbia 0-1 England
Jude Bellingham's first half header secures a 1-0 victory for England in their opening Group C Uefa Euro 2024 match against Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke.
Media caption, Highlights: England 1-0 Serbia
Slovenia earn a point in opener against Denmarkpublished at 17:58 British Summer Time 17 June
Slovenia 1-1 Denmark
Christian Eriksen's brilliant first-half goal was not enough to secure Denmark victory as Slovenia impressed in the second half to secure a draw in the opening Group C match at the Stuttgart Arena.
Weghorst scores late to secure opening Dutch winpublished at 17:57 British Summer Time 17 June
Poland 1-2 Netherlands
Netherlands forward Wout Weghorst comes on and scores a late winner as the Dutch beat Poland 2-1 in the opening Group D match at the Volksparkstadion.
Postpublished at 17:56 British Summer Time 17 June
Before we get back under way, let's have a quick look back at yesterday's action.
'What a second half it will be'published at 17:55 British Summer Time 17 June
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveWhat a half it has been.
Slovakia grew in confidence with the goal and it was a good finish from a tight angle. Belgium did get more opportunities and didn't take them.
What a second half it has set up.
Romania stun Ukraine in Group E openerpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 17 June
FT: Romania 3-0 Ukraine
Earlier today, Romania completed a dominant 3-0 win over Ukraine in the other match in Group E.
These are the highlights...
Media caption, Highlights: Romania 3-0 Ukraine
Frustration kicking in for Belgiumpublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 17 June
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Frankfurt ArenaI was at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar when Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup in the group stages after a goalless draw with Croatia.
Romelu Lukaku had come on as a substitute and missed several HUGE chances in the second half that day.
It feels a bit like deja vu. He's had three big opportunities and squandered them all. Surely he will take the next chance?
Slovakia are being roared on by their fans - every pass, tackle, shot or cleared corner is being met with celebration.
Belgium fans were very noisy early on but you can sense a bit of frustration from them now.
'A shock result at this point'published at 17:53 British Summer Time 17 June
HT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveThey have surprised me. It is an ageing team and they have pressed Belgium so high.
But you can't get away from the fact that Belgium have had chances and have not been clinical enough. Lukaku has had three great chances and he hasn't taken them.
This is a shock result at this moment in time and they have got to pull their finger out in the second half.
HALF-TIMEpublished at 17:52 British Summer Time 17 June
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia hold the lead at the break when they took advantage of Jeremy Doku's error with Ivan Schranz scoring after Koen Casteels had parried Juraj Kucka's effort.
Belgium have had chances through Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard but Slovakia, 48th in the world, are halfway to causing the first shock of Euro 2024.
Work for Belgium, ranked third in the world, to do.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 45+2 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
A cross from deep finds Juraj Kucka at the back post, but the angle was always tight and under pressure can only head it wide of goal.
Postpublished at 45+1 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia's Ondrej Duda has completed all 26 passes of his passes in the opening 40 minutes of this game, while Denis Vavro has played the most line breaking passes of any player on the pitch (eight).
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 17:47 British Summer Time 17 June
#bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826
Andrew: Lukaku’s first touch is horrible. Overhits it or loses control every time.
Matt: What on earth was that?! Had a chance to lob the keeper on the volley, missed that so then had a good chance to round the keeper, but his touch is that of a Sunday League player.
'Lousy Lukaku'published at 45 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveIn truth, in this first half it has been lousy Lukaku.
He gets in and takes a heavy first touch and he should slot the ball past Dubravka. That is three huge opportunities that Romelu Lukaku normally gobbles up.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 44 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
A chance for Belgium. Yannick Carrasco sends in a ball over the top from the halfway line and Romelu Lukaku is clear of the Slovakia defence. But with defender David Hancko in close attention and doing enough to put off the striker, a heavy Lukaku touch sees the ball drift harmlessly wide and a good chance goes begging.
Postpublished at 17:43 British Summer Time 17 June
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Emma Sanders
BBC Sport at Frankfurt ArenaThat would have been an unbelievable goal!
The animated Slovakian journalist I mentioned earlier was laughing when it was flicked on by a backheel on the right and was basically screaming when Lukás Haraslín's shot was saved.
He's a bit distracting but you can't fault his passion.
'That could be a big save come the end of the game'published at 43 mins
Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 LiveIt's really, really well worked.
What a strike it was and as the ball drops, Casteels is at full stretch and that could be a big save come the end of the game.
Image source, EPA
Highlights: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia caused an upset in their Euro 2024 opener as they stunned Group E favourites Belgium in a chaotic encounter in Frankfurt.
There was drama in the final minutes as Romelu Lukaku thought he had equalised, only for the video assistant referee (VAR) to rule it out for handball in the build-up.
It was the second goal he had scored that had been ruled out by VAR after earlier poking in a header across goal from Amadou Onana.
Ivan Schranz put Slovakia ahead when he capitalised on a mistake at the back by Manchester City's Jeremy Doku, stunning Belgium, ranked third in the world - Slovakia are 45 places below in 48th.
After missing countless chances throughout, several falling to all-time top scorer Lukaku, Belgium eventually left empty-handed.
In a topsy-turvy 90 minutes, substitute Johan Bakayoko was denied by a superb goalline clearance from Slovakia's David Hancko.
Lukaku's frustrations grew as chances kept passing by - the best coming within three minutes after Doku had gone on a spectacular run down the right.
Belgium's inability to grasp control meant they trailed at the break, with Doku's costly mistake helping Slovakia get the upper hand.
Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne remained a threat, while Arsenal's Leandro Trossard curled an effort over the bar following a poor clearance from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
Lukas Haraslin also came close on occasions for Slovakia, fizzing a superbly executed volley towards goal which needed saving by Koen Casteels, before placing another strike wide in the second half.
Belgium, who exited the 2022 World Cup at the group stage, must respond when they take on Romania next - who recorded a stunning 3-0 win over Ukraine in the other match on Monday afternoon.
As Belgium travel to Cologne on Saturday looking to regain ground, Slovakia face Ukraine, no doubt buoyed by their perfect start to Euro 2024.
Ivan Schranz gives Slovakia an early lead against Belgium
Slovakia celebrate as Belgium pay price
Dubbed by many as the 'new Belgium', this is undoubtedly a nation in transition, with several members of their 'golden generation' phasing out of the squad.
The likes of Eden Hazard and Toby Alderweireld are no longer around for Belgium, while this was a first major tournament match without Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois since 2002.
Expectations are not as high as their world ranking perhaps suggests - but Belgium fans did not expect to leave Frankfurt having suffered defeat by Slovakia.
Lukaku’s missed chances will have left sour reminders of their premature World Cup group-stage exit when he failed to find the net in a goalless draw with Croatia, but he will feel hard done by here in Germany.
He was a nuisance with his movement in the box but his lack of clinical edge proved costly for Belgium, who had plenty of attacking talent on the pitch around him.
Trossard was too often on the periphery, while Doku shined offensively but played the loose pass which led to Schranz’s well-taken goal.
As Belgium were left licking their wounds in Frankfurt, their supporters jeering in frustration throughout the second half, Slovakia celebrated passionately at full-time.
Supporters in the stands waved scarves, chanted and bounced in unison and when the whistle finally ended an agonising stoppage-time period, substitutes raced on to the pitch from the dugout to celebrate with their team-mates.
Afterwards, Slovakia's players and staff lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder, and celebrated in front of their supporters.
Romelu Lukaku has a second goal ruled out after a handball in the build-up
Player of the match
Number: 16 D. Hancko
Average rating 7.96
Number: 7 K. De Bruyne
Average Rating: 7.28Number: 9 L. Trossard
Average Rating: 6.88Number: 21 T. Castagne
Average Rating: 6.60Number: 20 L. Openda
Average Rating: 5.71Number: 24 A. Onana
Average Rating: 5.48Number: 19 J. Bakayoko
Average Rating: 5.38Number: 11 Y. Carrasco
Average Rating: 5.22Number: 1 K. Casteels
Average Rating: 5.21Number: 4 W. Faes
Average Rating: 5.19Number: 14 D. Lukébakio
Average Rating: 5.15Number: 18 O. Mangala
Average Rating: 5.07Number: 10 R. Lukaku
Average Rating: 5.07Number: 2 Z. Debast
Average Rating: 5.01Number: 8 Y. Tielemans
Average Rating: 5.00Number: 22 J. Doku
Average Rating: 4.70Number: 16 D. Hancko
Average Rating: 7.96Number: 1 M. Dúbravka
Average Rating: 7.94Number: 14 M. Škriniar
Average Rating: 7.86Number: 22 S. Lobotka
Average Rating: 7.82Number: 26 I. Schranz
Average Rating: 7.66Number: 19 J. Kucka
Average Rating: 7.48Number: 3 D. Vavro
Average Rating: 7.41Number: 9 R. Boženík
Average Rating: 7.28Number: 2 P. Pekarík
Average Rating: 7.26Number: 17 L. Haraslín
Average Rating: 7.22Number: 8 O. Duda
Average Rating: 7.10Number: 18 D. Strelec
Average Rating: 6.95Number: 7 T. Suslov
Average Rating: 6.88Number: 4 A. Obert
Average Rating: 6.76Number: 20 D. Ďuriš
Average Rating: 6.73After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
Related topics
- Published6 July
UEFA European Championship Scores & Fixtures
UEFA European Championship Table
On Monday 17th June
Skip to table key
Match Participants:
Group A
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
Group B
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
Group C
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
Group D
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
- Slovakia, Position 2, Points 3
- Belgium, Position 3, Points 0
Group E
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
Group F
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Key
- Position 1 - 2 : 8th Finals
- Position 3 : Possible 8th Finals
Team Lineups
home team, Belgium
Manager: Domenico Tedesco
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Casteels, Goalkeeper
21, Castagne, Defender
4, Faes, Defender
2, Debast, Defender
11, Carrasco, Defender
18, Mangala, Defensive Midfielder
24, Onana, Defensive Midfielder
22, Doku, Attacking Midfielder
7, De Bruyne, Attacking Midfielder
9, Trossard, Attacking Midfielder
10, Lukaku, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, K. Casteels
- Number 11, Y. Carrasco , substituted for D. Lukébakio at 84 minutes
- Number 2, Z. Debast
- Number 4, W. Faes
- Number 21, T. Castagne
- Number 24, A. Onana
- Number 18, O. Mangala , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for J. Bakayoko at 57 minutes
- Number 9, L. Trossard , substituted for Y. Tielemans at 74 minutes
- Number 7, K. De Bruyne , Captain
- Number 22, J. Doku , substituted for L. Openda at 84 minutes
- Number 10, R. Lukaku
Substitutes
home team, Belgium
- Number 19, J. Bakayoko
- Number 25, M. De Cuyper
- Number 17, C. De Ketelaere
- Number 12, T. Kaminski
- Number 6, A. Witsel
- Number 14, D. Lukébakio , Yellow Card at 85 minutes
- Number 20, L. Openda
- Number 13, M. Sels
- Number 3, A. Theate
- Number 8, Y. Tielemans , Yellow Card at 76 minutes
- Number 23, A. Vermeeren
- Number 5, J. Vertonghen
- Number 16, A. Vranckx
away team, Slovakia
Manager: Francesco Calzona
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
1, Dúbravka, Goalkeeper
2, Pekarík, Defender
3, Vavro, Defender
14, Skriniar, Defender
16, Hancko, Defender
19, Kucka, Midfielder
22, Lobotka, Midfielder
8, Duda, Midfielder
26, Schranz, Striker
9, Bozeník, Striker
17, Haraslín, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, M. Dúbravka
- Number 16, D. Hancko
- Number 14, M. Škriniar , Captain
- Number 3, D. Vavro
- Number 2, P. Pekarík
- Number 8, O. Duda , substituted for A. Obert at 94 minutes
- Number 22, S. Lobotka
- Number 19, J. Kucka
- Number 17, L. Haraslín , substituted for T. Suslov at 70 minutes
- Number 9, R. Boženík , substituted for D. Strelec at 70 minutes
- Number 26, I. Schranz , Yellow Card at 41 minutes, substituted for D. Ďuriš at 81 minutes
away team, Slovakia
- Number 21, M. Bero
- Number 11, L. Bénes
- Number 15, V. De Marco
- Number 6, N. Gyömbér
- Number 13, P. Hrošovský
- Number 25, S. Kóša
- Number 4, A. Obert
- Number 23, H. Ravas
- Number 5, T. Rigo
- Number 12, M. Rodák
- Number 24, L. Sauer
- Number 18, D. Strelec
- Number 7, T. Suslov
- Number 10, Ľ. Tupta
- Number 20, D. Ďuriš
home team, Belgium
Manager: Domenico Tedesco
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Pitch Formation
1, Casteels, Goalkeeper
21, Castagne, Defender
4, Faes, Defender
2, Debast, Defender
11, Carrasco, Defender
18, Mangala, Defensive Midfielder
24, Onana, Defensive Midfielder
22, Doku, Attacking Midfielder
7, De Bruyne, Attacking Midfielder
9, Trossard, Attacking Midfielder
10, Lukaku, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, K. Casteels
- Number 11, Y. Carrasco , substituted for D. Lukébakio at 84 minutes
- Number 2, Z. Debast
- Number 4, W. Faes
- Number 21, T. Castagne
- Number 24, A. Onana
- Number 18, O. Mangala , Yellow Card at 29 minutes, substituted for J. Bakayoko at 57 minutes
- Number 9, L. Trossard , substituted for Y. Tielemans at 74 minutes
- Number 7, K. De Bruyne , Captain
- Number 22, J. Doku , substituted for L. Openda at 84 minutes
- Number 10, R. Lukaku
Substitutes
- Number 19, J. Bakayoko
- Number 25, M. De Cuyper
- Number 17, C. De Ketelaere
- Number 12, T. Kaminski
- Number 6, A. Witsel
- Number 14, D. Lukébakio , Yellow Card at 85 minutes
- Number 20, L. Openda
- Number 13, M. Sels
- Number 3, A. Theate
- Number 8, Y. Tielemans , Yellow Card at 76 minutes
- Number 23, A. Vermeeren
- Number 5, J. Vertonghen
- Number 16, A. Vranckx
away team, Slovakia
Manager: Francesco Calzona
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Pitch Formation
1, Dúbravka, Goalkeeper
2, Pekarík, Defender
3, Vavro, Defender
14, Skriniar, Defender
16, Hancko, Defender
19, Kucka, Midfielder
22, Lobotka, Midfielder
8, Duda, Midfielder
26, Schranz, Striker
9, Bozeník, Striker
17, Haraslín, Striker
Starting lineup
- Number 1, M. Dúbravka
- Number 16, D. Hancko
- Number 14, M. Škriniar , Captain
- Number 3, D. Vavro
- Number 2, P. Pekarík
- Number 8, O. Duda , substituted for A. Obert at 94 minutes
- Number 22, S. Lobotka
- Number 19, J. Kucka
- Number 17, L. Haraslín , substituted for T. Suslov at 70 minutes
- Number 9, R. Boženík , substituted for D. Strelec at 70 minutes
- Number 26, I. Schranz , Yellow Card at 41 minutes, substituted for D. Ďuriš at 81 minutes
Substitutes
- Number 21, M. Bero
- Number 11, L. Bénes
- Number 15, V. De Marco
- Number 6, N. Gyömbér
- Number 13, P. Hrošovský
- Number 25, S. Kóša
- Number 4, A. Obert
- Number 23, H. Ravas
- Number 5, T. Rigo
- Number 12, M. Rodák
- Number 24, L. Sauer
- Number 18, D. Strelec
- Number 7, T. Suslov
- Number 10, Ľ. Tupta
- Number 20, D. Ďuriš
- Referee:
- Halil Umut Meler
- Video Assistant Referee:
- Bastian Dankert
- Assistant Referee 1:
- Mustafa Eyisoy
- Assistant Referee 2:
- Kerem Ersoy
- Fourth Official:
- Serdar Gözübüyük
- Assistant VAR Official:
- Alper Ulusoy
Match Officials
Match Stats
Key, Belgium v SlovakiaOverall Possession
Shots
Belgium 16Slovakia 10Shots on target
Belgium 5Slovakia 4Shots off target
Belgium 6Slovakia 4Blocked shots
Belgium 5Slovakia 2Total touches in the box
Belgium 34Slovakia 15Goalkeeper saves
Belgium 3Slovakia 5Fouls
Belgium 14Slovakia 10Corners
Belgium 5Slovakia 7Season so far
UEFA European Championship
Key, Belgium v Slovakia
Goals scored
Belgium 2Slovakia 4Goals conceded
Belgium 2Slovakia 5Shots
Belgium 36Slovakia 38Shots on target
Belgium 20Slovakia 16Shots off target
Belgium 16Slovakia 22Blocked shots
Belgium 17Slovakia 12Passing accuracy %
Belgium 86.63Slovakia 82.1Form guide
All competitions
Belgium won
v Luxembourg
3
0
Friendlies
Slovakia won
v Wales
4
0
Friendlies
Belgium won
v Montenegro
2
0
Friendlies
Slovakia won
v San Marino
4
0
Friendlies
Belgium draw
v England
2
2
Friendlies
Slovakia draw
v Norway
1
1
Friendlies
Belgium draw
v Republic of Ireland
0
0
Friendlies
Slovakia lose
v Austria
0
2
Friendlies
Belgium won
v Azerbaijan
5
0
UEFA European Championship Qualifiers
Slovakia won
v Bosnia-Herzegovina
1
2
UEFA European Championship Qualifiers
Previous meetings
All competitions
Belgium and SlovakiaBelgium Won 1Slovakia Won 0Draw 2
Played
3
Previous scores
All competitions
Friendlies
Belgium 2 , Slovakia 1 on the 6th of February 2013
Belgium
Slovakia
6th of February 2013
Slovakia 1 , Belgium 1 on the 20th of May 2006
Slovakia
Belgium
20th of May 2006
Belgium 1 , Slovakia 1 on the 16th of April 2002
Belgium
Slovakia
16th of April 2002
- Skip back to previous scores
- Skip back to previous meetings
- Skip back to form guide
- Skip back to season so far
Match Facts
Belgium and Slovakia are facing each other in a competitive fixture for the first time. Their three previous encounters were all friendlies; the first two ended in draws (1-1 in 2002 and 2006) whilst Belgium won their last encounter in 2013 (2-1).
Since they were beaten finalists against West Germany in 1980 (their best ever finish at the tournament), Belgium have never reached the final four of the UEFA European Championship. They were knocked out in the quarter-finals in each of the last two editions.
None of Belgium’s last 17 matches at the UEFA EURO have ended in a draw (W9 L8), a run which started in the 1980 final (1-2 vs West Germany).
Belgium topped their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying group with 20 points – it’s the sixth consecutive time they have finished first in a qualifying campaign for a major tournament. They also extended their unbeaten run in qualifying games (FIFA World Cup/UEFA EURO) to 40 matches (W35 D5).
Slovakia will be making their fourth appearance at a major tournament since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, after FIFA World Cup 2010 and UEFA EURO 2016 / 2020. They have never progressed further than the round of 16.
Slovakia have won only two of their seven matches at UEFA EURO (D1 L4) – it was against Russia at EURO 2016 and Poland at EURO 2020 (2-1). They have also failed to score in four of their last five matches.
No team has conceded more set-piece goals than Slovakia over the last two UEFA EURO tournaments (7, out of a total of 13 goals conceded).
Slovakia won seven games in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying, their joint most ever in a qualifying group for a major tournament. Their two defeats were both against table-topping Portugal.
Romelu Lukaku is Belgium’s top scorer at major tournaments (WC + EURO), with 11 goals in 22 matches. He was the top scorer in the EURO 2024 qualification campaign, with 14 goals from eight games. Lukaku scored every 39 minutes on average and converted almost half of his shots (29).
No European player has delivered more assists at major international tournaments than Kevin De Bruyne since the 2014 FIFA World Cup – nine (5 at UEFA EURO, 4 at FIFA World Cup).
Dávid Hancko was involved in more goals for Slovakia during UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying than any other player (2 goals, 3 assists), with the Feyenoord defender also creating the most chances of any Slovak player (17).