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| Slovakia players celebrate after going ahead early in the game against Belgium. It ended 1-0 to the Slovakians. (Photo credit: Sky Sports) |
It was a day of upsets in the ongoing 2024 Euro Championship, with Ukraine suffering a sensational defeat at the hands of Romania and Belgium slumping to defeat against Slovakia.
It took an own goal for Didier Deschamps’ Le Blues to get past a spirited Austrian side who played without the injured David Alaba, a rude shock to bookmakers who expected the 2018 World Cup winners to rain goals on Ralf Ragnick’s side.
The match that shocked everyone the most was Slovakia's hard-fought victory over the Red Devils, with technology aiding the Slovakians twice as much as the VAR's two denials of big Belgian Romelu Lukaku when he thought he had leveled the score.
Slovakia took the lead after a costly mistake by Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku; the young lad chose the wrong pass when caught off-guard in his own area, presenting a gift from Ivan Schranz, who passed the ball to the net after Koen Casteels had saved from Lukas Haraslin.
Belgium threw everything forward, but the Slovakians couldn't break down.Later, coach Domenico Tedesco introduced Lois Openda and Youri Tielemans, the former setting up a fantastic opportunity for Lukaku to convert, but replays reveal a handball by the RB Leipzig player during the buildup..
In the opening game of the day, Romania thrashed Ukraine brutally, scoring three slick goals with no regard for former Ukrainian star Andry Shevchenko in the stands. It was a game Ukraine was expected to win as a better side on paper.
Nicolas Stanciu fired one in from outside the area just before the half-hour mark, sending the Romanians into the lead at the break. Razvan Dragus added another fine finish from outside the area shortly after the restart, and Denis Man assisted him to tap in the third five minutes later.
Contrary to expectations, Austria took the battle to France, dominating the game and only failing to find the back of the net as a Max Wobber own goal handed France the three points. Mike Maignon, their goalkeeper, ensured a fortunate point for Le Bleus.
There are only two fixtures in the ongoing Euros tournament on Tuesday, with Turkey taking on Georgia at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park and the 2016 champions Portugal taking on the Czech Republic at the Red Bull Arena.