Romania vs Ukraine LIVE: Euro 2024 result and reaction after goals from Dragus, Marin and Stanciu
Romania 3-0 Ukraine: A surprise victory for Edward Iordanescu’s men gives them control of Group E
Romania stormed to their biggest ever victory at the European Championship with a confident and comfortable 3-0 victory over Ukraine in Munich.
Edward Iordanescu’s men were set up compactly to defend and break on the counter-attack with most of their joy in the first half coming through the outlet of Denis Dragus. Constant pressing on Ukraine’s Andriy Lunin forced the error as the goalkeeper gave the ball away. Nicolae Stanciu then hooked a first time shot into the back of the net to send Romania ahead.
They never looked back. Razvan Murin added a second with an equally brilliant strike from range before Dragus netted a tap-in from a short corner in the second half. Romania go top of Group E ahead of Belgium’s match versus Slovakia and will have their sights set of the knockout rounds now.
Relive the action in our live blog below, as well as upddates from the next match between Belgium and Slovakia:
Belgium’s Jeremy Doku showcases versatility - but his error has wider Euro 2024 implications
On the face of it, the group should have been a straightforward Euro 2024group for Belgium, ranked third in the world with no other side higher than 20.
However they were stunned inside the first six minutes when Ivan Schranz put Slovakia ahead, and despite two Romelu Lukaku strikes going into the back of the net, both were ruled out for offside.
Belgium’s problems at tournaments resurfaced, after 63 minutes and still trailing 1-0, the team found themselves without a goal in over four and a half hours of football at the major events, and they were left contemplating a surprise defeat in their opening match.
Belgium’s Jeremy Doku showcases versatility - but error has wider Euro 2024 impact
Jeremy Doku made a costly error as Belgium were left to contemplate a surprise defeat
Austria vs France LIVE
Attention quickly turns to the evening game, where pre-tournament favourites France face Austria.
That game kicks off at 8pom BST in Dusseldorf, and you can follow all the action with our dedicated blog below.
Austria vs France LIVE: Euro 2024 team news and updates in Group D match
Didier Deschamps embarks on his sixth major tournament as France boss with hopes of making history
Group E standings
Here’s how Group E looks after the first round of games.
1 - Romania - 3 points, GD +3
2 - Slovakia - 3 points, GD +1
3 - Belgium - 0 points, GD -1
4 - Ukraine - 0 points, GD -3
Next matches
For Belgium, their next match comes against Romania on Saturday, 22 June. that game kicks off at 8pm BST in Cologne.
Slovakia will face Ukraine, who fell to a 3-0 loss in their first game, at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf on Friday 21 June at 2pm BST.
FT: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
There’ll be plenty of focus on the VAR decision to chalk off Belgium’s second goal. It’s undoubtedly the most contentious decision of the tournament so far.
You’ll likely feel different about it depending on whether you want to favour the attacker or defender, but there’s no doubt that the ball hitting Openda’s hand gave him an advantage in controlling it and beating his man.
Expect to see plenty of reaction in the coming hours and days!
FULL-TIME! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
That game had everything! A shock, controversial decisions, disallowed goals and some great play at times from both sides.
There’ll be mixed opinions on the Openda handball, but it’s clearly a handball. His hand was probably in a natural position, but the handball gave him a clear advantage.
Belgium lose their opening game in a group they will feel like they should have got nine points from. Slovakia give themselves a brilliant chance at making the last 16, and perhaps even qualifying top of Group E!
FULL-TIME! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
99 mins
The referee blows the whistle and we have the first shock of Euro 2024! The commentary team mentioned that this is statistically the biggest upset in European Championship history!
Euro 2024: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia
98 mins
Belgium’s long ball forward rolls out for a goal kick, and we’re past the allotted added time.
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