Euro 2024 continues with Belgium looking to bounce back to form at major tournaments after a thoroughly dreadful 2022 World Cup. Their first task is to take on Slovakia, with the Red Devils hopeful that Kevin De Bruyne will arrive fit and in form to inspire them.
A big decision was taken before the tournament by head coach Domenico Tedesco to leave out Thibaut Courtois, despite the Real Madrid goalkeeper recovering from a season-long injury to play in the Champions League final.
Belgium won their qualification group to get here and their best Euros performance so far was to finish runners-up way back in 1980. Slovakia, who were runners-up in their own qualifying group, are in their third straight finals since – they reached the round of 16 back in 2016, and only the group stage last time out. Follow all the latest news and match action in our live blog below, as well as the build-up to the evening match between Austria and France:
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Another dangerous ball across goal by Doku, and this one is cleared behind for a corner, which Belgium can’t create an opportunity from,
Moments later, De Bruyne clips a ball towards Lukaku at the far post, but he volleys into the side-netting after the clearing header falls to him!
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:21
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Belgium looked buoyed after that disallowed goal, and they come again. Trossard unleashes a shot from the right, but Dubravka saves.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:19
DISALLOWED GOAL! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
The goal is chalked off after a brief VAR check! Lukaku had just strayed offside as Onana got his head to it.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:17
GOAL! Belgium 1-1 Slovakia
De Bruyne takes a short corner to Trossard, who clips it to the back post. Onana heads it back across goal to Lukaku, who is unmarked, and he bundles it in!
There’s a VAR check for offside though! Lukaku looks off…
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:16
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Both sides have continued to give away possession needlessly at times so far this half, but on this occasion Doku does well to retain the ball and sweep it on to De Bruyne. He tries to release Trossard in the box, but it’s cut out.
Moments later, Lukaku has a chance as he’s played in on the right of the box, but it’s saved behind for a corner.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:15
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Sloppy from Faes as he gives it straight to Slovakia in the Belgium half, but Onana does well to sniff out the danger.
Slovakia come again and Vavro shoots from distance, but it bounces wide.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:11
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Doku does well to release Carrasco down the left, but the full-back wastes his attempted pass into the box.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:08
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Doku nips in to win the ball before exchanging passes with De Bruyne, but he’s tackled in the box.
Slovakia counter, and Haraslin cuts inside from the left before curling an effort wide of the far post.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:06
KICK-OFF! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
KICK-OFF! Belgium get us underway in the second half. It looks like Doku and Trossard have swapped wings.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:05
HALF-TIME: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
That was Slovakia’s fastest ever goal at a major tournament apparently, and it has put them in a great position in Group E.
If they can keep the result like this, they’ll have an amazing opportunity to qualify for the last 16.
Both teams are back out on the pitch and the second half is imminent.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 18:04
