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:
Romania 1-0 Ukraine
38 mins: There’s a loud cheer as Romania desperately clear their lines under threat from the trio of Sudakov, Dovbyk and Mudryk. The Romanians manage to scurry the ball away and feed it over to Dennis Man on the right side of the pitch.
He cuts inside and lets fly but the effort narrowly curls wide of the far post.
Romania 1-0 Ukraine
35 mins: Romania have grown in confidence now too. They’re seeing more of the ball and have brought it higher up the pitch. Dennis Man looks to feed a pass into a crowded penalty area but can’t find a teammate and Ukraine boot the ball clear.
They sweep forward quickly with Mudryk on control of the ball. He brings it to the side of the box before whipping in a cross. Radu Dragusin throws himself at the ball to deal with it and heads a clearance over the crossbar.
Romania 1-0 Ukraine
32 mins: You could say the goal came against the run of play but it is what Romania have been setting up for. Defend deep and tight before taking a chance at the other end.
They were fortunate to capitalise on an error from the goalkeeper but it was their pressing that forced the error in the first place. Good goal.
GOAL! Romania 1-0 Ukraine (Stanciu, 29’)⚽️
29 mins: Romania score first!
It’s mistake from Andriy Lunin. The goalkeeper is put under pressure from Denis Dragus and gives the ball away with a poor clearance.
It’s quickly slotted across to Nicolae Stanciu who hooks a first time effort from the edge of the box towards goal and nails it. The effort is superb, it beats Lunin and finishes in the back of the net!
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
27 mins: Wonderful work from Denis Dragus after Romania overturn the ball in midfield. He carries it forward, darts into the box and wins a corner for his team.
The ball is whipped into the box but after a little scramble, Ukraine belt it away.
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
24 mins: Romania’s defensive shape is tightly packed with little gaps for Ukraine to play through.
They’re resorting to cross field passes and runs down the two wings to generate space but they quickly turn into backwards passes, very reminiscent of England’s performance yesterday, when they come up against the next defender.
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
21 mins: The first corner of the game comes to Ukraine with Viktor Tsygankov swinging in the cross. Florinel Coman nods the ball out as far at Oleksandr Zinchenko who manages to pick out Artem Dovbyk.
Dovbyk shoots on the turn abut blazes his effort from range high and wide.
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
18 mins: There hasn’t been much to separate the two teams just yet. Mykola Shaparenko flicks a nice pass over to Yukhym Konoplia who makes a run down the right wing.
He’s closed down quickly and can’t find a way to the penalty area.
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
15 mins: Romania have had a couple of moments to get up the pitch but both times Ukraine have hit them on the counter attack though neither run has yielded a shot at goal.
As a result Romania are holding shape off the ball not overcommiting players to the press. It’s frustrating for Ukraine.
Romania 0-0 Ukraine
12 mins: From a throw in Ukraine launch the ball into the path of Artem Dovbyk. He lets the ball roll ast before spinning inside of the nearest defender.
The shot is on but Andrei Burca manages to skip across and poke the ball away in what is a vital touch for Romania. They’ve been asked to defend a lot so far and are, just about, up to the task.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments