Status: 26.06.2024 19:53
A draw that helps both Romania and Slovakia. In the last match of the group phase, both teams drew 1:1. But there was little to remind us of Gijon.
Romania and Slovakia have made it to the round of 16 of the European Championship. On the last matchday of Group E, a 1:1 (1:1) draw was enough for both teams on Wednesday evening (June 26, 2024) in Frankfurt/Main. The goals were scored by Ondrej Duda for Slovakia (24th) and Razvan Marin from a penalty (37th) for Romania. The Romanians go into the European Championship knockout phase as group winners, Slovakia as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group.
Romania against Slovenia or the Netherlands
In the parallel match, Belgium and Ukraine drew 0:0. Belgium will therefore go into the round of 16 as group runners-up. Ukraine will be eliminated. It is already certain that Belgium will have to play France in the round of 16. Who Romania and Slovakia will play against will only be decided in the evening, when the group phase ends with two games in Group F. Romania will face Slovenia or the Netherlands. Slovakia will have to play Spain or England.
Iordanescu: “You only experience something like this once”
“This is the greatest moment in our career so far”Romanian coach Edward Iordanescu rejoiced after the final whistle: “I usually start by complimenting my players. This time I want to start with our fans. You only experience something like this once in your life. I’m sure there will be celebrations back home in Romania”added the 46-year-old quite pathetically.
Slovakia vs Romania no Gijon 2.0
The draw, as was clear even before kick-off, was enough for both teams. That was what Gijon 2.0 feared; the game was not a ball-passing duel in which both teams agreed on a result that helped both teams.
Romania has first chances
Both the Slovakians and the Romanians started the game openly. The Slovakians had more possession at the beginning of the game and had better passing and tackling rates. However, the Romanians had the first chance in the game. Slovakian keeper Martin Dubrovka was just able to parry a shot from Andrej Ratiu (11th minute). Shortly afterwards, Razvan Marin tried a 30-meter free kick, but the ball went just wide (13th minute).
The Slovakians’ first big chance also came from a free kick: Lukas Haraslin curled the ball sharply in front of the goal from the left touchline. The ball flew through the five-meter area without being touched and just past the far post (22′).
Former Cologne player Duda meets Slovakia leadership
Just two minutes later, the team of Italian coach Francesco Calzona was able to celebrate: After a great cross from Juraj Kucka, the former Hertha and Cologne player Duda headed the ball into the bottom right corner – Slovakia led 1-0 (22nd) and thus also took the lead in Group E.
Romania was unimpressed. In the sweltering 30-degree heat of the Frankfurt stadium, the southern Europeans attacked, took control of the midfield and were rewarded with a penalty – and it was only at second glance that they noticed it.
Penalty equaliser after VAR report
What initially looked like a foul just outside the penalty area was corrected with the help of video assistant referee Bastian Dankert in the Leipzig video center: instead of the first light touch outside the penalty area, the contact on the edge of the penalty area was judged by referee Daniel Siebert to be the decisive factor – a penalty was the consequence. And Razvan Marin did not let this opportunity pass him by: the midfielder from the second Italian league hammered the ball into the top left corner to make it 1:1 (36′).
Now Romania, which regained the lead in the table with a 1-1 draw and a goalless draw in the parallel match between Ukraine and Belgium, could have increased its lead. Denis Dragus shot just wide in the best chance (42′).
Lively and offensive game
After a lively first 45 minutes with both sides playing offensively (9:7 shots on goal for Romania), the offensive spectacle continued immediately after the break. Slovakia had the better start: Haraslin tested Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita with a shot from a tight angle (52′).
However, Romania had the best chance of the second half so far: goal scorer Marin tested Slovakia keeper Dubravka, but Dragus missed the follow-up shot (61′).
Heavy rain and more chances
Shortly afterwards, pouring rain began in Frankfurt, the already damaged pitch became faster, and both teams continued to attack. It was noticeable that Romania repeatedly relied on quick counterattacks, while Slovakia tried their luck in an organized build-up to the game.
13:9 shots on goal and cheers on both sides
Haraslin (52nd/65th) and Dennis Vavro (76th) had further chances for Slovakia. For Romania, Marin (61st) and Dragus (62nd) missed the chance to make it 2-1. It was only in the last few minutes that both teams slowed down a bit and stopped risking too much. The match ended 1-1 – after almost four minutes of stoppage time and a total of 13:9 shots on goal for Slovakia, the German referee Daniel Siebert blew the final whistle. Both teams then raised their arms in celebration. Romania made it through the group stage of the European Championship for the first time in 24 years – and even as group winners.
