Slovakia opened the scoring just six minutes after the start of the match through Ivan Schranze, who took advantage of a serious defensive error to score the fastest goal for Slovakia in the record of participation in major tournaments.

Lukaku found the net twice, but VAR ruled out the goal both times, for offside in the 56th minute and for a hand touch by Luis Obenda during the construction of the attack a few minutes before the end of the match.

Belgium suffered their first defeat under Domenico Tedesco, who took over as coach in February 2023, as it was Belgium’s first defeat in 16 matches.

The defeat in today’s match was reminiscent of Belgium’s disastrous participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Slovakia picked up their first three points in Group E, which saw Romania beat Ukraine 3-0 earlier in the day in Munich.

Belgium play their second group match against Romania on Saturday in Cologne, while Slovakia meet Ukraine on Friday.

Before the match, there was talk of the new features of the Belgium national team with many new faces joining the team and injecting some energy, after Belgium’s golden generation lost its luster after a first-round exit in Qatar, but the same problems seem to remain.

Tedesco dominated the game over the course of 90 minutes, but lacked the decisive touch and when they found it, VAR and Slovakia’s defence denied them a draw.

Belgium were without their favourite centre-back duo of Janvertonghen and Artur Tiat, and with left-winger Jeremy Duku playing on the right flank in the first half and Yannick Carrasco as a late left-back, the team lacked balance.

The confusion allowed Slovakia to score early, as Duku returned the ball to the box and the defence did not deal with it properly, Juraj Coca’s attempt was blocked and the ball fell to Schranz, who beat Belgium goalkeeper Queen Castells and put the ball into the net six minutes and five seconds after the first whistle.

It came after Belgium had already missed an early chance as Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saved Lukaku’s shot from close range, after Duku’s brilliant run from the Belgium half.