Liveticker | Belgium - Slovakia

Matchday 1

FINAL

Arena Frankfurt

Slovakia

SchranzIvan Schranz

H. Meler

Arena Frankfurt

Full-time: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

What a remarkable result! Slovakia hold on after Ivan Schranz's early strike to cause a major upset. Hertha Berlin full-back Peter Pekarík put in an incredible shift over the full 90 minutes, with Leipzig's Lois Openda helping Belgium to threaten as a late substitute and Romelu Lukaku having two goals disallowed.

Full-time

90'

+ 8

Into additional time of additional time

The Slovakian fans are desperate to hear the final whistle...

90'

+ 6

Into the final minute

Belgium are throwing everyone forward as they look for a late leveller.

1:29

Awesome Openda

The Leipzig attacker was unfortunate to see the strike he assisted disallowed, but has shown the kind of talent he displayed throughout the last Bundesliga season as a late substitute.

90'

+ 4

De Bruyne denied

The Manchester City midfielder has a shot from a tight angle, and Dubravka grabs the ball after it is deflected into his hands.

90'

+ 4

Substitution

Adam Obert

Ondrej Duda

90'

+ 2

Openda almost in

The Leipzig attacker races to try to meet a Lukaku through ball, and Dubravka just gets there before he can pounce.

90'

+ 1

Into stoppage time

Belgium have SEVEN additional minutes in which to salvage a result.

86'

Openda thought he had assisted Lukaka leveller....

The Leipzig attacker put in a brilliant burst down the left after receiving a long pass down the flank. Openda then laid the ball off perfectly for Lukaka to slot home from around the penalty spot. Belgium rejoiced, until a VAR review showed Openda had handled the ball in the build-up.

85'

Yellow card

Dodi Lukébakio

84'

Here comes Openda

Leipzig attacker Lois Openda comes on for the final few minutes for Belgium along with Dodi Lukébakio, formerly of Hertha Berlin.

84'

Substitution

Loïs Openda

Jeremy Doku

84'

Substitution

Dodi Lukébakio

Yannick Carrasco

81'

Scorer subbed off

Ivan Schranz receives a rousing reception from the Slovakia fans as he is replaced by fellow forward David Duris for the remainder of the game.

81'

Substitution

David Duris

Ivan Schranz

80'

Onana heads wide

Onana meets a De Bruyne corner but places his header comfortably wide.

78'

Kucka fires wide

The 37-year-old hits his effort well wide from 20 metres out as we approach the final 10 minutes.

78'

Second wind for Slovakia

Slovakia win a corner, and Duda delivers a testing cross shortly after that is cleared. Their substitutes have made a decent contribution as they enjoy a strong spell.

76'

Tedesco shuffles his pack

Tielemans is on for Trossard in midield as Belgium continue to chase the game. The substitute's first impact on the game is a yellow card for tripping Suslov on the break.

76'

Yellow card

Youri Tielemans

75'

Substitution

Youri Tielemans

Leandro Trossard

70'

First Slovakian substitutions

Calzona freshens up his attack by bringing Strelec and Suslov on - that seems to work right away with Slovakia penning Belgium back with their first attack in some time, relieving some of the pressure.

70'

Substitution

Tomas Suslov

Lukas Haraslin

70'

Substitution

David Strelec

Róbert Boženík

65'

Can Slovakia hold out?

Belgium have hit ten shots now, as Haraslin goes to ground with a complaint. The game continues after another short break.

Goal attempts

5off target

5on target

4off target

4on target

62'

Off the line!

The Belgian pressure is building, with a cross floated for Lukaku at the far post, who hits the side netting. Bakayoko then smashes an effort from just outside the six-yard box that Hancko clears off the goal line, picking up a painful blow in the process. After a short delay, he can play on.

59'

Tedesco makes his first change

Bakayoko is brought on in an attacking substitution, shortly before Trossard has a rasping shot saved by Dubravka.

58'

Substitution

Johan Bakayoko

Orel Mangala

Lukaku leveller chalked off!

Moments after he had a shot turned behind for a corner, Romelu Lukaku slides in to turn the ball over the line after a nod down from Onana from the resulting corner. VAR disallows the strike for a narrow offside!

52'

Vavro hits a hefty one

The Slovakia defender eyes the target from at least 30 metres out and smashes a superb shot just the wrong side of Casteels' target.

51'

Slovakia still playing their part

While Belgium have seen more of the ball, there is no sense of Slovakia dropping deep and trying to ride this out.

Passes

308

231

47'

Haraslin has a go

After Belgium start the second period on the front foot, Haraslin gets into a shooting position just outside the box on a break and fires wide.

46'

We're off again

Belgium start the second period, looking to force their way back into this.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia

The favourites are behind in Frankfurt after a very engaging first half. Slovakia have harried Belgium and created further good moments after their shock lead, while Belgium have also seen scoring opportunities.

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Into stoppage time

Two minutes are indicated. Will Domenico Tedesco switch things up at the break to try to inspire a comeback?

43'

Five shots apiece

Slovakia are worthy of their shock lead, but Belgium will be disappointed they haven't converted any of a few big chances.

Goal attempts

3off target

2on target

1off target

4on target

42'

Lukaka runs ball out

Lukaka gets to a long ball behind the defence, but a heavy first touch from the frontman sees it run out of play before he can threaten.

1:21

Watch: The best of Casteels

See the Wolfsburg goalkeeper's best saves of the 2023/24 Bundesliga season.

41'

Yellow card

Ivan Schranz

40'

Cracking Casteels save!

Kucka clips a cross in from the right that allows Haraslin to smash a volley on goal in the box and Koen Casteels leaps across to complete a stunning save.

36'

Onana effort saved

The midfielder meets de Bruyne's corner, but his header is saved comfortably by Dubravka.

34'

De Bruyne and Doku link up

The Manchester City midfield general pings a peach of a pass out to the right to his team-mate for club and country. Doku shimmies and tries to cross from a good position, but the ball is turned behind by a defender for a corner.

31'

Bozenik tries to build lead

The Slovakian centre-foward turns well to shoot on the edge of the box after some good build-up play, but Wolfsburg's Casteels gets his hands well behind the effort.

30'

Mangala is first man booked

The Belgian midfielder is shown a yellow card for sliding in on Haraslin to stop a break.

30'

Yellow card

Orel Mangala

Keenly contested

Pekarík puts in a meaty challenge on Trossard now to concede a free-kick on the halfway line. Belgium continue to look dangerous when they attack, but Slovakia are trying to make life difficult for them.

24'

Pekarík tees up effort

The former Bundesliga champion at Wolfsburg flies down the right and cuts the ball across for Bozenik, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked by Debast.

21'

Trossard almost makes Dubravka pay

The Slovakia goalkeeper gives the ball away 20 metres out of his own goal with a pass straight to the feet of Trossard, who eyes the open goal and floats his shot over!

17'

Perfect from Pekarík

The experienced Hertha right-back slides in on Trossard to cut out a through ball from de Bruyne and hit it off the Belgian attacking midfielder for a goal-kick.

16'

Doku effort headed clear

The Belgian winger has been a real handful so far. He cuts inside but has his shot headed clear by Skriniar.

14'

De Bruyne hits out

Manchester City's Kevin de Bruyne floats a free-kick from the left past the far post and wide.

Slovakia step up

Despite facing Belgian goalscoring chances, Slovakia have pressed intently and played forward with determination. Hertha's Peter Pekarík and former Hertha and Cologne midfielder Ondrej Duda have played their part in their side's smart build-up play.

Schranz smashes Slovakia in front!

What an opening! After Belgium waste two big opportunities, they give away the ball around their own penalty area Schranz slots in from a tight angle after Casteels had saved a shot from Kucka.

Ivan Schranz

GOAL!

0:1

Lukaka in again!

Another great opening for the Belgians falls Lukaku's way via Jeremy Doku. Dubravka rushes out of goal well to stop the striker's effort and grabs Trossard's cross destined for Lukaka.

Lukaka denied!

Belgium gain a big early chance. Doku bursts forward and the ball falls to Kevin de Bruyne around the penalty spot, who pokes it through for Lukaku, whose close-range shot is smothered superbly by Dubravka in the Slovakia goal.

And we're off...

Slovakia get us underway in Frankfurt.

Kick-off!

Time for the anthems

The two sets of players and fans are in fine voice, and we are about to get going.

Belgian buzz

A large continent of fans from Belgium had travelled over the border to mill around Frankfurt this afternoon.

More on those teams

Hertha Berlin's Peter Pekarík is the sole Germany-based player to make the Slovakia starting XI with Bero and Bénes on the bench. Former Schalke and Leipzig coach Domenico Tedesco starts Wolfsburg's Koen Casteels (pictured) in goal for Belgium, while his club team-mate Vranckx and Leipzig's Openda begin on the bench.

Belgium starting XI

Casteels - Castagne, Faes, Debast, Carrasco - Mangala, Onana - Trossard, De Bruyne (c), Doku - Lukaku

Belgium subs

Kaminski, Sels, de Cuyper, Theate, Vertonghen, Tielemans, Vermeeren, Vranckx, Witsel, Bakayoko, de Ketelaere, Lukebakio, Openda

Slovakia starting XI

Dubravka - Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar (c), Hancko - Kucka, Lobotka, Duda - Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin

Slovakia subs

Ravas, Rodak, de Marco, Gyömber, Kosa, Obert, Benes, Bero, Hrosovsky, Rigo, Suslov, Duris, Sauer, Strelec, Tupta

3:13

One to watch: Openda

Belgium's Openda has taken the Bundesliga by storm in his first season with Leipzig. The forward netted 24 goals in 34 games, with only Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy scoring more.

Three Bundesliga stars each

When it comes to Bundesliga representation, both teams have three German-based players. Belgium will call upon Belgium Loïs Openda (RB Leipzig), Koen Casteels and Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg) while Slovakia have Matúš Bero (Bochum), László Bénes (Hamburg) and Peter Pekarík (Hertha Berlin).

3:14

The host: The Frankfurt Arena

Eintract Frankfurt's 47,000 seater Arena will host this match, it's first of the tournament so far.

Tale of the tape

This is only the fourth meeting between these two nations, and the first time they've ever faced off competitively. It's been over a decade since they last met, with Belgium winning a 2013 friendly 2-1. The previous two meetings ended 1-1.

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action as Belgium play Slovakia in Frankfurt!