Romania received at a serious worldwide match for the primary time in 24 years on Monday once they beat Ukraine 3-0 at Euro 2024, helped by two errors from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Captain Nicolae Stanciu's excellent long-range strike gave Romania a first-half lead of their Group E opener forward of the overwhelming majority of the Munich crowd. Razvan Marin's shot from distance slipped beneath Lunin and Romania turned the tables with two extra targets earlier than the hour, Denis Dragus scoring the third. It was a catastrophic begin to the marketing campaign for Ukraine, who must regroup shortly for matches in opposition to Slovakia and Belgium.
In February 2022, Ukrainian gamers took to the sector with Ukrainian flags draped over their shoulders within the nation's first match at a serious match for the reason that Russian invasion.
They missed out on qualifying for the World Cup two years in the past however have secured their fourth consecutive Euros, regardless of the backdrop of the most important European battle since World Warfare II.
Ukraine reached the quarter-finals three years in the past beneath Andriy Shevchenko. However a lot has modified since then for the war-ravaged nation, along with his former strike accomplice Serhiy Rebrov now on the helm.
Rebrov stated attending Germany, the place multiple million Ukrainians have discovered refuge, is a vital step for the nation.
He stated he has obtained numerous messages from individuals throughout his nation, together with these combating on the entrance traces, and that it’s as much as his workforce to “present the spirit” of Ukraine on this time of disaster.
Romania proceeded to stay unbeaten in qualifying however have been winless in 4 video games this 12 months earlier than returning to the massive stage after lacking out on Euro 2020.
Their final and solely win within the match got here once they reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2000.
Ukraine tried with out a lot success on a scorching afternoon on the Allianz Area and paid the value for placing strain on themselves, resulting in a mistimed clearance from Lunin.
The Actual Madrid stopper performed the ball straight to Dennis Man, who handed it to Stanciu, who then smashed a sensational shot into the highest nook from 20 yards.
Lunin instantly had a comfort from Oleksandr Zinchenko however minutes later Stanciu virtually beat him once more, this time straight from a nook.
Man's effort fell flat, Stanciu's inswinging nook hitting the bar and the back-footed Ukraine goalkeeper scrambling to make it to the web.
Worse was to return for Lunin when Marin scored from 25 yards after a swift Romanian counter-attack betrayed them eight minutes into the second half.
Dragus successfully sealed the win shortly after when Mané headed the ball throughout the six-yard field following a well-worked brief nook.
Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita saved Georgi Sudakov's shot effectively in the direction of the tip however substitute Roman Yaremchuk's ball hit the bar and went over, indicating it was a day to overlook for Ukraine.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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