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
Some decent attacking intent from Belgium but Trossard’s pass to Mangala is poor, and the latter is booked after fouling Haraslin.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:31
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Pekarik goes straight through the back of Trossard on halfway, but he avoids the booking. Belgium recycle possession, but Carrasco’s ball over the top is cut out.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:30
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Onana loses the ball twice in midfield, but he’s lucky that Slovakia can’t capitalise. There’s been plenty of sloppy passes and poor decision-making by both sides in possession.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:27
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia’s attacking has been a little disjointed at times, with Haraslin the latest example as he spins his marker and tries to play the ball behind the defence, but the strikers had dropped in.
Soon after, Bozenik tries the shot from distance but it’s blocked.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:24
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
CLOSE! Dubravka receives the ball near the edge of his box, and he’s being closed down by De Bruyne. He panics and pokes it straight to Trossard, but the Arsenal man can’t get the right connection on his attempted lob, and it loops over.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:22
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia’s first meaningful attack in a while ends with Faes conceding a corner. Haraslin delivers, but Faes heads away.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:20
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Almost excellent play as Trossard lays it off to De Bruyne before making the run in behind the defence. De Bruyne almost finds him in the box, but it’s cut out.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:17
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia are looking to counter where possible, and they seem happy to let Belgium have more of the ball.
Jeremy Doku cuts in from the right and shoots, but it’s headed away easily enough. He’s been the bright spark so far, despite his mistake.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:17
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
First chance for Belgium to swing a set-piece into the box as De Bruyne is fouled around 30 yards out. The City midfielder clips one towards the back post, but neither Onana nor Lukaku can reach it.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:14
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Doku tries to make amends immediately but he ends up conceding a foul as he dribbled into the box.
Slovakia try and counter and win a free-kick halfway into the Belgian half.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:12