In a stunning turn of events, Slovakia pulled off a major upset at the 2024 European Championship by defeating Belgium, the world's third-ranked team. Despite being ranked 48th by FIFA, Slovakia managed to secure a memorable victory against the tournament favorites.

The match began with an early goal from Slovakia's Ivan Schranz, who capitalized on a failed attempt by Belgium to play out from the back. The seven-minute goal set the tone for the game and put Slovakia in the lead. Despite Belgium's relentless efforts, including two goals from Romelu Lukaku that were ruled out by VAR, they were unable to find an equalizer.

Belgium, making their first tournament appearance since the disappointing elimination at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, now face a challenging road ahead. In Group E, Romania also surprised by defeating Ukraine 3-0 earlier in the day, leaving Belgium with an uphill battle to avoid a similar fate.

Slovakia's manager, Francesco Calzona, acknowledged his team's underdog status before the match but expressed hope that they would rise to the occasion. The goal came against the run of play, with Slovakia pressing high and preventing Belgium's Jeremy Doku from playing out from close to the corner flag. Juraj Kucka's shot on goal was saved by Koen Casteels, but Schranz seized the opportunity to secure the lead.

One of the main talking points of the game was Romelu Lukaku's missed opportunities. As a crucial player in Belgium's squad, Lukaku was expected to carry a heavy burden during this tournament. However, he failed to convert several chances, including two disallowed goals, reminiscent of his performance in the 2022 World Cup.

Another significant development in the match was the use of UEFA's new 'snickometer' technology. Referee Halil Umut Meler utilized the technology to review a handball incident involving Lois Openda, resulting in the disallowing of Lukaku's goal. UEFA aims to improve decision-making processes in games, and the 'snickometer' provides precise tracking of contact, assisting in detecting handballs and offside situations.

Belgium's defeat raises questions about the team's chances in the tournament. Despite their talent, the golden generation of Belgian football has struggled to achieve their full potential in previous tournaments. Manager Domenico Tedesco leads a new, younger squad with lowered expectations, but their lackluster performance against Slovakia highlights persistent issues in the team's defense and midfield.

Belgium's loss to Slovakia ends their unbeaten streak of 14 matches under Tedesco. Their next challenge will be against Romania in Group E, while Slovakia faces Ukraine in their upcoming fixture. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen if Belgium can regroup and avoid a premature exit, or if Slovakia's remarkable victory will act as a catalyst for further surprises in the tournament.