Romania surprised Ukraine at Euro 2024 within the opening Group E match, beating them 3-0 in Munich.
Serhiy Rebrov’s aspect had been anticipated to start out their marketing campaign off with a win towards the low-ranked Romanians, however the match couldn’t have gone higher for Edward Iordanescu’s resilient Romanians.
They took the lead by means of Nicolae Stanciu, who despatched a curling effort previous Andriy Lunin after his poor clearance gave the ball again to Romania in a harmful space.
It was 2-0 early within the second half after Razvan Marin was alert to choose up a unfastened ball and fireplace a low effort previous the Actual Madrid stopper to double their benefit.
Earlier than Ukraine had time to catch their breath, they had been 3-0 down.
Denis Dragus discovered house within the field to poke residence a cross from Dennis Man, who had weaved his well beyond just a few blue shorts on a solo cost.
There was by no means actually any response from Ukraine, who had been tipped by some as a crew to look at at Euro 2024.
They need to put the loss behind them immediately and regroup as they give the impression of being to salvage their match.
Because it occurred
With Romania arrange very defensively, it was anticipated that Ukraine would dominate the ball and so they definitely did within the opening exchanges.
Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk had a shot blocked very early on and the Romanian defence had been on excessive alert once more not lengthy after as Artem Dovbyk burst by means of the traces, solely to be snuffed out on the essential second.
There was a sea of yellow throughout the stands contained in the Allianz Area and numerous Romania followers had been making their voices heard each time Ukraine obtained on the ball, booing and jeering earlier than shouting encouragement at their very own crew.
Actual Madrid stopper Lunin had work to do extra typically than he would have favored within the first half, firstly saving from Florinel Coman and having to cope with just a few harmful corners.
And the LaLiga goalkeeper then made an error that might price Ukraine dearly.
His poor clearance fell to Man, who discovered Stanciu on the sting of the field and his first-time curling effort kissed the bar on its solution to the highest left nook.
It was a merely fantastic strike and maybe the purpose of the match up to now.
📸😲#EURO2024 | #ROUUKR pic.twitter.com/eemjBZiVEC
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 17, 2024
There was almost a comical purpose on the different finish a couple of minutes later.
Radu Dragusin despatched a header in direction of his personal subsequent following a Mudryk cross, nevertheless it whistled simply over the bar.
Ukraine had been definitely pushing in direction of half-time however their dominance had counted for nothing on the break.
And extra distress was piled on by the Romanians early within the second half.
Marin picked up a unfastened ball on the sting of the field and struck a robust effort in direction of purpose, which beat Lunin and settled into the online.
It was maybe a strike that the goalkeeper ought to have saved, however the Romanians didn’t care as they celebrated doubling their lead.
There was barely time to quiet down earlier than Ukraine had been 3-0 down.
🇷🇴 Draguş makes it three for Romania!#EURO2024 | #ROUUKR pic.twitter.com/wiX4RcGyA7
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 17, 2024
A brief nook from Romania fell to Man, who slipped a ball into the six-yard field and into the trail of Dragus, who tapped into an empty web.
There was a brief examine for offside however the purpose stood and Romania had been actually on cloud 9 in Munich.
Romania haven’t received a European Championship match in 24 years however they had been on the verge of doing so in entrance of a loud crowd.
Florin Nita didn’t need to make his first actual save till the seventy fifth minute when Heorhii Sudakov struck from distance, however he did handle to stop Ukraine from getting a purpose again.
Other than a looping effort that hit the bar in stoppage time, there was by no means any actual menace from Ukraine.
There’s definitely a whole lot of work to be achieved if they’re to make it out of Group E and into the knockout phases.
What subsequent for Romania and Ukraine at Euro 2024?
Romania have a troublesome check subsequent up as they face Belgium on 22 June in Group B.
Following that, they may tackle Slovakia of their closing group-stage recreation on 26 June.
Ukraine will play the identical opponents however in reverse order.
First up is Slovakia on 22 June after which they end towards Belgium on 26 June.
The group continues to be up for grabs and there’s nonetheless a lot on the road for each nations.
