Chance after chance was wasted – and twice, star striker Romelu Lukaku had goals disallowed.
It was a disastrous start to the European Championship for Belgium, who fell to Slovakia with a 0–1 defeat.
After the flop in the World Championship in Qatar, where Belgium were eliminated in the group stage, several players from the "golden generation" have disappeared from the team.
And a, to some extent, new Belgium is supposed to do better in the European Championship.
Goal king Romelu Lukaku was the top scorer in the World Championship.
In the European Championship qualifiers, he took revenge and set a goal record with 14 full hits.
This championship started with the 31-year-old as top scorer.
Two disallowed goals
Not even the star striker, most recently in Roma, had VAR on his side.
Twice Lukaku celebrated – twice his goals were disallowed by VAR.
The only thing we didn't do well was the missed chances. We had several. Naturally, the players are disappointed, says Belgium's national team coach Domenico Tedesco.
As early as the second minute, Lukaku had a golden opportunity, but shot freely into the Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's hands.
"One of my life's goals"
Instead, Slovakia could take the lead five minutes later. Young Belgian winger Jérémy Doku – one of three starters who are 22 years old or younger – played poorly in his own penalty area, which ended with Ivan Schranz being able to score 1–0.
It's one of my life's goals, but the win is even more beautiful, says Schranz according to Uefa's website.
Slovakia was also close to a 2–0 goal, but Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels made a giant save on Lukas Haraslins' volley.
Casteels got the chance since star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid, is in a feud with Domenico Tedesco.
Lukaku wasted two more chances in the first half – but celebrated in the 56th minute when he thought he had equalized.
But from an offside position.
The second time, in the 86th minute, forward Lois Openda had the ball on his hand.
In between, Johan Bakayoko was millimeters from an equalizer, but Slovak defender David Hancko saved on the goal line.
And Slovakia could sensationally take three points against the group favourite.
For Belgium, who meet Romania in the next match, it was the first defeat in 15 matches under Domenico Tedesco.
