Belgium 0–1 Slovakia, UEFA Euro 2024: Ivan Schranz’s Early Strike Helps Slovaks Produce Massive Upset After VAR Denies Romelu Lukaku Twice

Frankfurt (Germany), Jun 17 (AP) Two Romelu Lukaku goals were ruled out by video review and Belgium fell to a stunning 1-0 loss to Slovakia in wild Group D at the European Championship on Monday. Slovakia struck with a seventh-minute goal by forward Ivan Schranz then survived a string of misses by Belgium record scorer Lukaku, who had two second-half goals overturned, and all that playmaker Kevin De Bruyne could help create. UEFA Euro 2024: Fans Unhappy with Transport Issues, Authorities Downplay Concerns.

Slovakia's deserved win also was preserved by defender Dávid Hancko's brave goal-line block that left him sprawled in the goal net with a face injury inflicted by a teammate's knee. That came in the 62nd minute, from substitute Johan Bakayoko's close-range shot, just seven minutes after Lukaku's first goal' was overturned when a video review spotted an offside.

The second VAR intervention in the 86th disallowed Lukaku's powerful shot because of a handball by Loïs Openda before his decisive pass. Lukaku set a competition record of 14 goals in a qualifying group last year, yet somehow failed to score in a wasteful first half including twice before Slovakia led. The drama in Frankfurt came hours after Romania upended predictions by outclassing Ukraine 3-0 in Munich. UEFA Euro 2024: New Turf Trucked in to Switzerland's Training Camp in Stuttgart to Resurface Poor-Quality Field.

Belgium fell to a first loss in 15 games under coach Domenico Tedesco and faces Romania in the Saturday evening game in Cologne. Slovakia has more than one day less to prepare for facing Ukraine in Duesseldorf on Friday. (AP)

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