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
Slovakia do win two corners as the half ends, and the referee blows the whistle soon after Kucka heads wide.
A disappointing half for the Red Devils, who haven’t really got going, but a brilliant half for Slovakia!
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:49
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Doku thinks he’s won a corner, but Lukaku is offside when he tries to collect Faes’ long ball.
Very little activity as the half comes to an end.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:48
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
There’ll be two minutes of added time.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:47
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
De Bruyne is dropping deeper as he tries to influence the game more, but no luck so far despite Doku’s best intentions.
Another Belgium attack ends as Slovakia win a free-kick near halfway.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:46
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Schranz is booked after hauling down Carrasco to stop the counter.
Suddenly Lukaku is one-v-one with Dubravka after a ball over the top from Carrasco, but he can’t fully bring it under control and his touch to take it past Dubravka is too heavy.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:44
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
The link-up between Carrasco and Trossard hasn’t clicked yet, and the Arsenal man loses it again.
Slovakia attack again with Kucka down the right, and he delivers a pinpoint cross to Haraslin, whose volley is brilliantly saved by Casteels.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:41
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Slovakia win another cheap corner, and Duda delivers it, but Castagne heads clear.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:39
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
De Bruyne swings in the corner and Onana meets it around seven yards out, but he can only direct it straight at Dubravka.
Hancko is okay to come back on.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:37
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Doku wins a corner after beating Hancko on the outside and trying to clip in a cross. Hancko stays down after sliding in, and he’ll need some treatment.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:36
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
Lukaku receives the ball with his back to goal and tries to scoop it through to De Bruyne, but it’s intercepted.
Chris Wilson17 June 2024 17:34