Belgium suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Slovakia in their 2024 European Championship opener on Monday evening.
Koen Casteels started in goal for the Red Devils as Thibaut Courtois was not included in the squad, whilst Ondrej Duda, Milan Skriniar and Martin Dubravka highlighted Slovakia's line-up.
Belgium saw a golden chance over a minute in go abegging as Romelu Lukaku worked space in the box to get a shot in off a cutback, but Dubravka denied him from point-blank.
The opportunity proved telling after five minutes when Casteels parried a first-time shot back into play where Ivan Schranz inadvertently connected to drill in the far corner from a narrow position.
Arsenal's Leandro Trossard was keen to show up for the Red Devils minutes apart and riffled over from the far side of the box after meeting a knockdown.
Slovakia aimed to double the deficit in the final five minutes to halftime courtesy of a flying volley by Lukas Haraslin, but Casteels proved equal to the task.
Haraslin remained pivotal to the Slovakia a minute in the second half and came short to the near post to fire narrowly wide of target.
Frustrations continued for the Belgians over ten minutes from the break as Lukaku guided in from a corner only to have the effort disallowed for offside after a review.
Slovakia's brave fight to hold out followed three minutes later where Denis Vavro showed the presence of mind to put his body on the goal-line and deny substitute Johan Bakayoko.
A double substitution by the Red Devils in the last nine minutes saw Jeremy Doku make way for Lois Openda before Dodi Lukebakio came on for Yannick Carrasco.
More disappointed fell for Belgium two minutes to the end when Lukaku tucked in a layoff from Openda, but once again it didn't stand as the latter was flagged for handling in the build-up.
The Red Devils thus fell short as the Slovakians claimed a crucial victory to get the tournament off on the right footing.
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