Tedesco frustrated by VAR drama after shocking Belgium defeat

Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco admitted he was frustrated by the controversial VAR decision which condemned his side to a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opening match of the Euro 2024 Monday.

Tedesco’s side were rocked by Ivan Schranz’s seventh-minute goal in Frankfurt, but could have escaped with a draw if Romelu Lukaku’s late goal had been allowed.

After missing numerous chances earlier in the Group E clash, Lukaku fired home Lois Openda’s cross in the 86th minute.

But the striker’s celebrations were dramatically cut short, with the players in position to resume play, as VAR judged Openda had handled after being pushed into the ball earlier in the attack.

Lukaku also had a goal disallowed for offside when he headed home after Amadou Onana’s header.

“It’s difficult to talk. If we had won, I could tell you more about my opinion. But we lost and I want to be seen as a fair manager, so I’m not saying anything,” Tedesco said.

“We have to trust these guys. I trust VAR. If they decide it’s handball, we have to accept it.

Slovakia sits 45 places behind third-placed Belgium in the FIFA world rankings.

But Belgium have made a habit of underperforming at major tournaments and risk once again wasting the potential of their talented squad.

The Belgians’ first defeat in 15 matches ended Tedesco’s unbeaten run since replacing Roberto Martinez.

“For me, it hurts a lot tonight. I don’t want to point fingers at people. You can be sure that we will talk about many things, but we will do it internally and not through the media,” Tedesco said.

“I knew we would lose one day but unfortunately it was today. Honestly, there’s not much I can tell the team to improve.

“We created a lot of chances, big chances. Of course, if we take one, it makes the game easier.

On Lukaku’s remarkably free-spending performance, he added: “Romelu has been playing for Belgium for a long time. He knows how to score goals, I don’t need to tell him that. He is a top player with great character.

Belgium will face Romania, 3-0 winners against Ukraine on Monday, in a crucial clash on Saturday.

Another defeat would likely end Belgium’s hopes of reaching the last 16 and Tedesco said: “Naturally everyone is disappointed, but you can exploit it. You can enjoy it.

“I always said that our group would be very tricky and that we should not assume that we were going to qualify.”

AFP