It was a horror moment to forget for Jeremy Doku after his attempted piece of skill deep in Belgium's half resulted in Slovakia scoring a shock opening goal in Monday's Euro 2024 clash.
The Manchester City star has become a regular starter in Belgium's set-up but was at fault when he made a woeful pass across the box to gift Slovakia an easy goal against the run of play in the 7th minute.
Eager to get on the ball, Doku backtracked for a throw-in near the corner flag and received possession before then pausing to make his next move as opposition attackers pressed.
He eventually opted to drag the ball to the side in a bid to make an angle and passed with a weak effort into the middle of Belgium's box.
Doku's pass was easily intercepted as defenders were caught unawares and the follow-up shot was initially saved by Koen Casteels before the rebound was tapped in by Ivan Schranz from close-range.
Jeremy Doku was at fault after his mistaken pass gifted Slovakia an easy opening goal against Belgium
Doku started the match against Slovakia brightly prior to his mistake that led to a goal in the 7th minute
The defensive error was a rare lapse in concentration by the 22-year-old who has starred under Pep Guardiola's guidance since moving to the Premier League champions last year.
The misjudged pass was a difficult moment for Doku who had initially started the match brightly by demonstrating his usual attacking flair when racing down the flank.
Doku (right) tried to play a pass back across his own goal that was intercepted by Slovakia's attackers
Critics were quick to pounce on Doku's mistake online, with one post on X analysing the error and stating: 'We’ve just seen why Jeremy Doku is so good and yet so frustrating in the first 8 minutes of this game. Unplayable but very naive.'
Another similarly comical comment added: 'Doku assist…to Slovakia. What was that….'
Rival fans of Man City also joined in by highlighting the Belgian's mistake with one Man United fan account adding: 'Doku created Solvakia's goal'.
Another post on social media commented: 'What a Assist by Doku, world class player indeed.'