In their first Euro 2024 match, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku lost 1-0 to Slovakia.

The difference as the Red Devils, who were denied two goals by VAR, lost at the Frankfurt Arena was a deft finish by Ivan Schranz in the seventh minute.

Belgium still has work to do as Domenico Tedesco’s team is third in Group E, ahead of Ukrаine, who were beaten 3-0 by Romanian leaders earlier in the day at Munich Football Arena thanks to goals from Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin, and Denis Dragus.

Third-ranked Belgium missed a lot of opportunities throughout the course of the 90 minutes.

On three minutes, Doku demonstrated his speed and grace down the right, putting in De Bruyne in the middle, who then delivered the ball precisely to Romelu Lukaku, but the Chelsea forward was unable to finish when in the ideal location.

On twenty-one minutes, De Bruyne harassed Newcastle goalie Martin Dubravka, causing the latter to mishandle a clearance to Leandro Trossard, but the Arsenal playmaker fired a high and stunning shot. 

Amadou Onana of Everton, meantime, could only head straight at Dubravka when he met De Bruyne’s 37th-minute corner from the right.

Notwithstanding these opportunities, Belgium’s Koen Casteels made a stunning save to prevent a 2-0 lead at the break, diving to his left to get a firm hand on Lukas Haraslin’s volley from within the penalty area.

Belgium started the second half strongly, and just before the hour, they believed they were level when Lukaku wheeled away in delight after meeting Onana’s header back across goal. VAR got involved, and the goal was called back for offside against the massive No. 10.

All could see the effect of KDB and Doku as Belgium increased pressure on Slovakia in an attempt to get an equaliser.

With his weaker right foot, former West Brom, Everton, Manchester United, and Inter Milan striker Lukaku was unable to finish when De Bruyne found him on 62 minutes.

Shortly after, Doku—a nuisance on the left against Francesco Calzona’s me𝚗—crossed into the box from the left. Johan Bakayoko was the only player Dubravka could parry, and his shot was cleared off the line.

After Doku was replaced by Lois Openda on 84 minutes, he cut back for Lukaku to hammer home two minutes later. However, VAR intervened for the second time in the afternoon to nullify the goal due to a slight handball committed by the RB Leipzig winger in the build-up.

As the clock approached full time, Belgium continued to press but was unable to locate the leveller.

Romania will be Belgium’s next opponent on Saturday, kιck-off 20:00 (UK) at RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne.