Two goals disallowed by Lukaku marked the defeat of the Red Devils in their debut at Euro 2024.
With Lukaku as a great highlight for his multiple errors on clear occasions and with two goals disallowed by the VAR, with Doku as the protagonist for the error that led to the Slovak goal and with the feeling of being a disappointment again despite not being a favorite, Belgium crashed at its premiere in this Euro 2024 against Slovakia (0-1), who competed wonderfully to surprise and place second in Group E.
Without carrying the favorite sign, but with several top-level players, it was the perfect time for the step forward of Belgiumwhich, despite not being a candidate, was expected to have a good debut before Slovakiaan inferior team on paper that was not intimidated by the Belgian stars and took 3 points with craftsmanship, work and practicality.
And after a superlative start by Doku due to his right-handed profile, with a changed foot, the City player, facing with versatility, impudence and success, few things could suggest that the game would get out of hand so soon. Belgium, which by the way formed with Carrasco as left back. But football, and more so in national team tournaments, changes in a moment.
Because it was in the blink of an eye when Belgium everything was against him. With two clear protagonists. The first one Lukaku that seemed to extend that match against Croatia in Qatar 2022 with two errors on the first two clear occasions, in which he had two heads-up that he failed to define. And the second, Doku himself, author of the imbalance on the aforementioned occasions and of a killer transfer when the ball was released that ended with the goal of Slovakia.
From one area to another, in just 30 seconds, from 1-0 and possible 2-0 to 0-1. This was the blow of Belgium and the awakening of a Slovakia that he had nothing to envy his rival after 90 minutes and that he had more chances to increase the score, because it worked like a charm under the leadership of Francesco Calzona from the bench, coach of Naples in the last stretch of the season, and of his pupil in the Parthenopean team Stanislav Lobotka on the grass.
The Central European team put pressure on a throw-in close to the Belgian area and found oil. Doku, with good intentions but with poor execution, left his defense sold, who could do little to stop the shot of the first Slovak and the rebound that Casteels left on a plate for Schranz, who in the 7th minute put his team ahead and punished the errors of Lukaku.
Dizzy after the hit for a few minutes, she was able to regain a little control of the game through possession Belgiumwith De Bruyne giving meaning to possession so as not to definitively lose control of a match in which everything seemed to go against Lukaku.
Because although Dubravka missed the ball and it was Trossard who shot high when there was no goalkeeper, trying to beat a defender who corrected the goalkeeper’s position, it was Lukaku the one who once again had the ball bouncing inside the area and the goal in front of him to tie the game. Again, for the third time in just 45 minutes, he defined poorly.
Casteels also had to intervene to prevent Slovakia closed the duel with a great volley from Haralsin at the end of the first act that once again undermined the little confidence that a Belgium who went to rest confused.
He came out ready to turn the score around, but Lukaku He was once again denied in front of goal. He found it in the 56th minute, seemed to reconcile with himself, break with his disastrous party and go from villain to hero. But the VAR deprived him of all enjoyment with the offside that he pointed out, making him even more bitter about another unforgettable afternoon wearing maroon.
It wasn’t alone Lukakuit seemed that Belgium I was jinxed. Bakayoko fired from the heart of the area, with Dubravka out of position. But not even with those. Kancko, under the sticks, took the shot over the line.
He turned Belgium in attack and Slovakia He began to suffer, to bail out waters. The opportunities began to occur more frequently, but without success. Until Openda, who came on in the 84th minute, took his speed for a walk to reach the baseline and give up behind to Lukakuwho hit a squad first with his shot.
celebrated Belgium and Slovakia he gave it up for lost. But a hand in Openda’s driving, reviewed by the referee on the screen at the foot of the field, was once again hit with Lukaku and Belgium.
Canceled the goal, Belgium he couldn’t take it anymore. Slovakia They took the 3 points to place second after Romania, the Belgians’ next rival.
