Belgium vs Slovakia, Euro 2024:Why Was Lukaku’s Second Goal Ruled Out in?? EXPLAINED

New Delhi: Belgium faced a surprising 1-0 defeat against Slovakia in their first clash in the Euro 2024 at the Frankfurt Arena. Belgium went behind in the first half after  Slovakia’s Schranz netted an amazing goal in the seventh minute of the game. Belgian defence made a miss-pass at the back and the ball fell to Robert Bozenik, whose shot was initially saved by Koen Casteels.

The rebound fell to Schranz who fired it into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Why the first goal by Lukaku was disallowed by VAR?

Romelu Lukaku seemed to have equalized for Belgium in the 55th minute when he tapped the ball into an empty net following a corner. The Belgian fans erupted in celebration, but their joy was short-lived as the goal was controversially disallowed.

However, the goal was ruled out after the replays showed that Lukaku was just offside while Amadou Onana headed the ball towards the Inter Milan Striker, from a Leandro Trossard corner.

Why the second goal by Lukaku was disallowed by VAR?

In the last stage of the game, Lukaku was convinced that he had secured a draw for his side after he turned the ball into the goal after being assisted by substitute Lois Openda.

However, the referee employed the newly introduced ‘snicko’ technology to detect a handball by Openda in the buildup to the goal, nullifying Lukaku’s effort and dashing Belgium’s hopes of an equalizer.

What is Snicko meter?

Just like the snickometer visual showing in cricket, fans will show the precise moment when a ball is touched.

“Connected ball” technology will add a motion-sensing microchip in the adidas match balls which can track every touch at a rate of 500 times a second.

It is sensitive enough to determine whether the ball brushed a hand en route to goal or whether a player strayed beyond the last defender at the precise moment it was kicked hence helping in hand ball and offside offenses.