Euro 2024: Slovakia shocks Belgium 1-0 in huge betting upset
Two Romelu Lukaku goals were ruled out by video review, and Belgium fell to a stunning 1-0 loss to Slovakia in wild Group D at the European Championship on Monday.
Per FOX Sports research, it's the biggest upset by FIFA ranking differential in Euro history.
Belgium was ranked No. 3 in FIFA men's world rankings entering the match, while Slovakia was ranked No. 48. That is a difference of 45 spots, unseating Finland's upset over Denmark at Euro 2020 (a 44-spot rankings difference) for the title of biggest European Championship upset since FIFA rankings were introduced in 1992.
From a sports betting perspective, it was also historic, as Slovakia was +600 to win outright before the match started, while Belgium was the heavy favorite at -210. The odds of a draw closed at +340.
Slovakia struck with a seventh-minute goal by forward Ivan Schranz then survived a string of misses by Belgium record scorer Lukaku, who had two second-half goals overturned, and all that playmaker Kevin De Bruyne could help create.
Slovakia's deserved win also was preserved by defender Dávid Hancko's brave goal-line block that left him sprawled in the goal net with a face injury inflicted by a teammate's knee.
Belgium vs. Slovakia Highlights
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That came in the 62nd minute, from substitute Johan Bakayoko's close-range shot, just seven minutes after Lukaku's first ‘goal' was overturned when a video review spotted an offside.
The second VAR intervention in the 86th disallowed Lukaku's powerful shot because of a handball by Loïs Openda before his decisive pass.
Lukaku set a competition record of 14 goals in a qualifying group last year, yet somehow failed to score in a wasteful first half including twice before Slovakia led.
The drama in Frankfurt came hours after Romania upended predictions by outclassing Ukraine 3-0 in Munich.
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Belgium fell to a first loss in 15 games under coach Domenico Tedesco and faces Romania in the Saturday evening game in Cologne.
Slovakia has more than one day to prepare for facing Ukraine in Duesseldorf on Friday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
