Slovakia stun Belgium as Romania hammer Ukraine, England player ratings (2024)

3 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy

Austria vs France

France have named their youngest starting XI at the Euros (27y 273d) since their EURO 2012 defeat to Spain (27y 079d).

But among their numbers is 33-year-old N'Golo Kanté, who is making just his sixth start for France since the last European Championship.

14 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy

Austria vs France

Austria boss Ralf Rangnick said: "We're playing against one of the biggest, maybe the biggest, favourites of the tournament.

"We're playing against the world vice-champions, and definitely the nation which has the best squad and best forwards. We need to play at our best level. It's crucial that we are courageous and convinced of our own strength.

"I didn't get to see the first match in the group [Poland 1-2 Netherlands] because we were on our coach and got stuck in traffic. It doesn't matter because we're focused on France and, after that, we'll have time to focus on Poland."

25 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy

'Belgium have to accept this result'

Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl told ITV: "It is a hard position for Belgium, but they have to accept this result.

"Slovakia needed momentum to beat Belgium."

42 minutes agoBy Jackson Cole

Team news

Less than an hour until France get their Euro 2024 campaign underway, and there's a place for N'Golo Kante in Les Bleus' starting line-up.

Austria: Pentz, Posch, Danso, Wober, Mwene, Seiwald, Grillitsch, Laimer, Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Gregoritsch

Substitutes: Lindner, Trauner, Arnautovic, Prass, Hedl, Querfeld, Lienhart, Kainz, Schmid, Daniliuc, Seidl, Wimmer, Weimann, Entrup, Grull

France: Maignan, Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Kante,
Rabiot, Dembele, Griezmann, Thuram, Mbappe

Substitutes: Samba, Pavard, Mendy, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Giroud, Muani, Zaire Emery, Fofana, Coman, Clauss, Areola, Konate, Barcola

51 minutes agoBy Jackson Cole

Controversy

Safe to say Gary Lineker isn't a fan of the decision for VAR to disallow that second goal scored by Romelu Lukaku.

The England football legend said on X: "Bull**** decision."

Today, 19:02By Joe Brophy

Out of Luk

Just not Romelu Lukaku's day...

Today, 18:58By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia - FULL-TIME

A famous victory for Slovakia as they hold onto a narrow and extremely controversial win.

The Falcons were hugely impressive and good value for their lead but a lot of the post-match reaction will be focused on VAR.

Romelu Lukaku - who had an earlier goal rightly chalked off for offside - saw his second denied by an extremely debatable handball against his teammate Lois Openda in the build-up.

Today, 18:53By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

It's getting desperate for the Red Devils as we enter seven minutes added time.

Wout Faes' cushioned header down is sliced wide behind by Amadou Onana as the Everton midfielder went for an audacious volley.

Kevin De Bruyne takes over on the next attack as he powers himself into the box but his low shot is deflected into Martin Dubravka's arms.

Today, 18:49By Joe Brophy

NO GOAL!! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

WAIT A MINUTE - ITS HAPPENING AGAIN!!!!!!

A VAR check for handball against Lois Openda sends the referee to the screen and by the letter of the law he is punished!

Romelu Lukaku has a second goal chalked off...

Ashton told talkSPORT: "It feels wrong. It feels so, so wrong. He's battling with a 6ft 3ins defender."

He added: "Letter of the law, but it's nonsense... it grazes his fingers, but he doesn't gain an advantage."

Today, 18:47By Joe Brophy

GOAL!! Belgium 1-1 Slovakia - Romelu Lukaku

HEARTBREAK FOR SLOVAKIA!

Lois Openda breaks the trend of Belgium substitutes getting themselves booked by offering something electric.

His pace gets him to the byline before he picks out an unmarked Lukaku on the penalty spot who thumps it past Martin Dubravka.

Today, 18:45By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Last throw of the dice for Belgium as Lois Openda and Dodi Lukebakio are both sent on for Jeremy Doku and Yannick Carrasco.

But Lukebakio follows Youri Tielemans' suit by getting himself booked almost instantly as he cleans out David Hancko.

Slovakia now just five minute away from a historic win!

Today, 18:41By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Romelu Lukaku's three attempts in this game have produced an xG of 0.82, almost double Slovakia's team total (0.48).

Slovakia's scorer Ivan Schranz now receives a standing ovation as he is replaced by David Duris.

Belgium are running out of time to find their own hero as we enter the final ten minutes!

Today, 18:36By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Arsenal star Leandro Trossard is withdrawn and on comes Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans.

But his first action is to receive a yellow card for wiping out Tomas Suslov to stop the latter breaking down the line.

Today, 18:31By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Double change from the Falcons as David Strelec replaces Robert Bozenik, while Lukas Haraslin departs and in comes Tomas Suslov.

That latter switch could be significant - Haraslin has won four fouls in the opening hour.

Only England captain Harry Kane (6 v Serbia) has won more in a match at EURO 2024 so far.

Today, 18:28By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Belgium have missed 4+ big chances in a European Championship game for the first time since 1980 vs Spain (also 4).

Their xG stands at 1.23 but that almost does them a disservice - Romelu Lukaku could have had the Golden Boot wrapped up already!

Today, 18:24By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia - CHANCE

Johan Bakayoko SO CLOSE TO BEING THE INSTANT HERO!

Slovakia hanging on as the ball drops to Bakayoko unmarked in the six-yard area with Martin Dubravka nowhere and the goal gaping.

But Dávid Hancko heroically gets back on the line to scramble it away.

His efforts saw his head collide into Juraj Kucka's knee as the pair both challenged to clear Bakayoko's effort.

Hancko seemed to have been knocked out which causes a break in play much to Belgium's fury but it is a head injury.

The defender is thankfully back on his feet shortly afterwards.

Today, 18:22By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

A Slovakian counterattack breaks down when Stanislav Lobotka's pass looking to release Ivan Schranz is behind the goalscorer.

Kevin De Bruyne almost makes them pay instantly with a clipped ball over the top but Romelu Lukaku shoots into the side netting.

Johan Bakayoko is now on in place of Orel Mangala.

Today, 18:17By Joe Brophy

NO GOAL!!! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

NO, HE HASN'T! VAR HAVE RULED IT OUT FOR OFFSIDE!

Romelu Lukaku went early to attack Amadou Onana's header and now forfeits the chance to atone for those first-half misses.

Today, 18:16By Joe Brophy

GOAL!! Belgium 1-1 Slovakia - Romelu Lukaku

FINALLY LUKAKU STRIKES!

The striker's fierce strike at the near post is beaten behind for a corner by Martin Dubravka and Slovakia switch off.

Kevin De Bruyne takes a short corner and a ball in from the right is headed across goal by Amadou Onana.

it's into the path of Belgium's record goalscorer who simply can't miss as he scrambles it home from three yards out.

Today, 18:15By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Slovakia enjoying a spell of sustained possession as the momentum swings once more in this game.

Denis Vavro tries his luck from 35 yards out but drags a low effort wide of Koen Casteel's far post.

Slovakia soon win it back and some neat passing ends with Stanislav Lobotka looking to find the overlapping run of Peter Pekarík but his pass is overhit.

Today, 18:09By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

Both teams are unchanged as they head out for the second half.

Jeremy Doku has changed flanks in a slight tactical tweak and it almost pays instant dividends as he's fed by Kevin De Bruyne.

However, Denis Vavro sticks in an important leg to deny him before Doku can unleash a shot.

Today, 18:04By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia – HALF-TIME

Belgium have lost seven of their eight matches at the European Championship when they've trailed at halftime, coming back to win the other against Denmark at EURO 2020 (2-1).

Meanwhile, Slovakia have won their only two games at the tournament when they've led at the break (2-1 v Russia in 2016 & Poland in 2021).

Today, 18:01By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia – HALF-TIME

Belgium failed to score in each of their final two games at the 2022 World Cup but have never failed to score in three successive matches at major international tournaments previously (EUROs/World Cup combined).

But they may do if Romelu Lukaku keeps up this form after the break!

Chelsea's £97million man has really struggled so far - just as he did as Belgium crashed out in Qatar two years ago.

Today, 17:57By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia – HALF-TIME

Ondrej Duda has completed all 27 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 (8).

Today, 17:51By Joe Brophy

Belgium 0-1 Slovakia - HALF-TIME

Poland and Albania both took shock leads against the Netherlands and Italy but neither managed to hold onto the margin very long.

However, Slovakia head into the break leading Belgium and on course to become the first underdog triumph of Euro 2024.

Ivan Schranz punished some sloppy defending to give his side an early lead and Belgium have struggled to regain any impetus.

Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard in particular have been particularly wasteful in front of goal.