Bratislava, Slovakia — In a dramatic turn of events, Slovakia secured a stunning 1-0 victory over Belgium in a thrilling Euro 2024 qualifier on Monday. The match witnessed two goals by Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku being overturned by VAR, adding to the night’s excitement.
Slovakia took an early lead in the 7th minute when forward Ivan Schranz found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Despite Belgium’s relentless attacks and Lukaku’s efforts, the Slovak defense held firm.
The Belgian striker, renowned as his country’s record scorer, thought he had equalized twice in the second half. However, both goals were disallowed after VAR reviews — the first for an offside and the second due to a handball by teammate Loïs Openda during the build-up.
The match also highlighted the heroics of Slovak defender David Hancko, who made a crucial goal-line block in the 62nd minute. Hancko’s dedication was evident as he sustained a facial injury during the play but continued to defend his team’s slim lead.
As the final whistle blew, Slovakia’s players and fans celebrated passionately, with midfielder Stanislav Lobotka expressing the team’s elation: “This win means a lot, not just for me, but the whole Slovak nation. Maybe not everyone has believed in us.” Lobotka’s outstanding performance earned him the Man of the Match title.
Belgium’s coach, Domenico Tedesco, remained composed regarding the VAR decisions, stating, “We trust these guys. We just have to accept it.” He praised Lukaku, saying, “He’s a top-class player, a great character. He’s been playing for Belgium for a long time and he knows very well how to score goals.”
The unexpected defeat serves as a wake-up call for Belgium in Group E, while Slovakia gains momentum on their path to Euro 2024. The match exemplified the unpredictability of football and the significant impact of technology on modern games.
Reference(s):
Belgium stunned by Slovakia with VAR denying Lukaku twice at Euro 2024
cgtn.com
