While Romania and Slovakia drew 1-1 to continue their path to the last 16 of Euro 2024 on the third day of Group E on Wednesday in Frankfurt, both teams played the game well.
In a very indecisive group, where the four teams were tied with three points after the first two days, a first in a Euro, this match was just as much.
In the first period, a penalty from Romanian Razvan Marin responded to a winning header from Slovakian Ondrej Duda. There were no further goals, despite twenty-two attempts throughout the match.
The final whistle was a liberation for all, and the Romanians, celebrating in front of the corner which was entirely dedicated to them, confirmed their status as the mood-setters of this Euro.
Ultimately, the big loser of the evening is Ukraine. In the other match of the group, in Stuttgart, Roman Iaremtchouk’s teammates were never able to finish the match against a Belgium which could be satisfied with a draw. Ukrainian midfielder Georgiy Sudakov finally had the match point in added time, but his shot was deflected by Belgian goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
By finishing second in the group, Belgium now finds itself on the road to the French team, which it will meet in Düsseldorf in the round of 16 on Monday at 6 p.m.
What you must remember
- The feed of the Slovakia-Romania match.
1-0, 24e : Ondrej Duda places a winning header from the penalty spot. Receiving a first-intention cross from Juraj Kucka, the midfielder smashed the ball into the Romanian goalkeeper’s small net.
1-1, 37e : After a foul caused by Ianis Hagi on the edge of the area, Razvan Marin takes the penalty and sends a powerful strike into the top corner! Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka had dived the wrong way.
Twenty-four years after Euro 2000, Romania once again reached the knockout stage of a major international competition.
- The phrase. “We will not be favorites against France”warned Kevin De Bruyne, captain of Belgium, after qualifying for the round of 16 of the Euro, in front of the RTBF cameras.
- Nutrisport. D.
While the suspense remained intact before the kick-offs of the two matches, this last day of Group E did not fully meet the expectations placed on it. Only two goals, and in the same match, for a final ranking that did not move a single line. Could do better.
