Euro 2024: Romania and Slovakia Make Last 16 After Intense Match
Romania and Slovakia both made it to the last 16 of Euro 2024 after a tense 1-1 draw in their final Group E match on Wednesday.
Slovakia took the lead in the first half through Ondrej Duda, but Romania’s Razvan Marin equalized with a penalty before halftime.
All four teams in the group finished with four points from three games, but Romania topped the group by scoring more goals than Belgium, who came second. Slovakia secured third place thanks to a better goal difference than Ukraine, who finished fourth.
This is a big moment for Romania, who reached the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time in 24 years. They had only made it to the last 16 once in their five previous Euro appearances. Coach Edward Iordanescu’s determined team ended that long wait with a strong performance, backed by their passionate fans who filled the stadium with yellow.
Slovakia, meanwhile, reached the knockout stages of a major tournament for the third time, having done so in the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Despite suggestions that both teams might play for a draw, Romania started the match aggressively. Andrei Ratiu nearly scored early on, but Slovakia’s goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saved his powerful shot, and Ianis Hagi missed the rebound.
Romania continued to push forward, with Marin narrowly missing a long-range free-kick. However, Slovakia took the lead in the 24th minute when Juraj Kucka’s cross found an unmarked Duda, who headed the ball past Florin Nita.
Romania responded quickly, equalizing in the 37th minute after VAR awarded a penalty for a foul on Hagi. Marin converted the penalty, thrilling the Romanian fans.
In the second half, a storm added to the dramatic atmosphere. Romania came close to taking the lead, with Marin forcing another good save from Dubravka and Denis Dragus hitting the roof of the net. Slovakia also had a chance with Lukas Haraslin’s shot just missing the goal.
In the end, the match ended in a draw, and both teams celebrated their progress to the knockout stage.
