Romania Secures Historic Win Over Ukraine in Euro 2024.
Romania celebrated their first victory at a European Championship in 24 years with a stunning 3-0 win over Ukraine in Group E.
Captain Nicolae Stanciu gave Romania a surprising lead in the 29th minute, finding the top corner with a brilliant strike from 20 yards out. Razvan Marin doubled the Tricolours’ lead after 53 minutes with a long-range effort that squeezed under Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Romania rounded off the scoring four minutes later when Denis Dragus tapped in Dennis Man’s cross from close range.
This victory marks Romania’s first win at the Euros since 2000, when a late Ionel Ganea penalty helped them beat England 3-2 in the group stage.
Ukraine’s players are appearing in their first major tournament since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022. Last week, their forward Mykhailo Mudryk revealed his family were facing Russian missiles “day and night” in his home city of Krasnograd.
Despite being 24 places below their opponents in the world rankings, Romania, cheered on by a wall of yellow in Munich, capitalised on a poor clearance by Lunin, which was intercepted by Man, who set up Stanciu for a wonderful first-time shot into the net.
Buoyed by their goal, Romania dominated and Stanciu almost scored directly from a corner minutes later with another curling effort that beat Lunin and cannoned off the crossbar. Lunin had a poor game and was also at fault for Romania’s second goal when he misjudged the flight of Marin’s strike, allowing the ball to slip under his attempted save.
Edward Iordanescu’s side added a third to confirm their biggest win in the tournament, as Dragus finished following a mazy run from the lively Parma forward Man.
Romania, who were unbeaten in qualifying, are now in a strong position to progress from Group E and will face Belgium in their next match on Saturday. Ukraine, quarter-finalists at the Euros three years ago, were disappointing, taking 77 minutes to record a shot on target. Substitute Roman Yaremchuk struck the top of the crossbar for Serhiy Rebrov’s team deep into second-half stoppage time.
Ukraine face Slovakia in their next fixture on Friday.
