Romania kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a stunning 3-0 win over Ukraine. Romania were second best until captain Stanciu put the ball into the top corner from range in the 29th minute, taking advantage of poor distribution by Ukrainian goalkeeper Andrii Lunhin. It’s only the fourth day, it’s too early to tell, but Stanciu is the club’s leader.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – DENNIS MANN (ROMANIA)
Credited with two assists – the second outstanding, the first thanks to the excellence of Stanciu – and was a threat for Ukraine throughout his time on the pitch. Romania did a lot with little ball and the play of the wingers was a big factor in that.
PLAYER RATINGS
Romania: Nita 6, Ratiu 6, Burca 7, Dragusin 7, Bancu 6, R. Marin 6, M. Marin 6, Stanciu 7, Man 7, Dragus 7, Coman 6. Substitutions: Hagi 5, Mihaila 5, Puskas 5, Rus 5, Racovitan n/a.
Ukraine: Lunin 3, Konoplia 5, Zabarni 5, Matviyenko 5, Zinchenko 5, Stepanenko 6, Shaparenko 6, Tsygankov 5, Sudakov 5, Mudrik 6, Dovbik 5. Substitutions: Brazhko 5, Yaremchuk 5, Yarmolenko 5.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
GOAL! UKRAINE 0-1 ROMANIA (STANCIU) 29′ – What a goal! Lunin gives the ball away cheaply as Man intercepts the pass. He tees up Stanciu, outside the penalty area, who fires a brilliant shot into the top corner.
CLOSE TO! 36′ – Mudrik checked his man, crossed well and Dragušin almost headed his own goal, but it was over, luckily for him and Romania.
OUT OF PRETKE! 39′ – Stankui takes a corner on the left side of Romania, looks at the goal, and Lunin is far from his line and hits the crossbar.
GOAL! ROMANIA 2-0 UKRAINE (R. MARIN) 53′ – Romania’s counter-attack appears to have stalled, but Marin hopefully shoots towards goal from 25 yards and Lunin lets the ball squirm under him.
GOAL! ROMANIA 3-0 UKRAINE (DRAGUS) 57′ – From the corner, Romania works well, and Dragus crosses from Mana’s cross.