Luke Littler's remarkable winning streak at the Belgian Darts Open has come to a stunning end.
The 19-year-old world champion crashed out in the third round this afternoon, falling 6-5 to Niels Zonneveld in what can only be described as a massive upset.
It's the first time anyone has beaten Littler at the Wieze venue, where he'd been absolutely dominant with 12 consecutive victories.
The Warrington teenager was chasing an incredible third successive title at the event, having triumphed in both 2024 and 2025.
Luke Littler was left stunned after crashing out of the Belgian Darts Open
|PA
Instead, it's the 27-year-old Dutchman, ranked 39th in the world, who advances to face the winner of Danny Noppert versus Ryan Searle.
Littler actually looked in control early on, racing into a 3-1 advantage after the opening exchanges went against the throw.
But Zonneveld refused to buckle, clawing his way back into the contest and taking the lead for the first time at 4-3.
The drama really ramped up in the tenth leg when the Dutchman squandered three match darts, giving Littler a lifeline.
The Nuke grabbed it with both hands, producing a brilliant 136 checkout to force a deciding leg.
Niels Zonneveld claimed a huge scalp after beating Luke Littler 6-5
|PA
That's when Zonneveld delivered the knockout blow – a sensational 147 finish that left Littler watching on as his campaign came to a dramatic close.
This defeat marks Littler's first loss in a ranking event since October, ending an impressive run of form.
The teenager had looked sharp heading into the third round, dispatching Croatia's Boris Krcmar 6-2 with an average of 104.7.
ZONNEVELD DOES IT AGAIN! 🤯
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 22, 2026
Luke Littler has lost his first game in Wieze!
Niels Zonneveld produces a MAGICAL 147 checkout to beat the World Champion in a last-leg decider!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 #ET3 pic.twitter.com/ebJ3VrRvwP
"I love it here," Littler said before his exit. "My first European Tour event was here. I want to win it again, and performances like that will put me up there."
He'd also arrived in Belgium riding high after an extraordinary Premier League comeback in Dublin, where he fought back from 5-0 down to beat Gerwyn Price 6-5.
Meanwhile, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton all progressed to the quarter-finals later on Sunday.