Romania battle Belgium but suffer as everything comes down to the wire in Group E #2302

Belgium 2 Romania 0FT

Belgium 2 Romania 0FT

2' Tielemans
79'Kevin De Bruyne

RheinEnergieStadion

The European championships continue to progress through the second round of fixtures in the group stage. on Saturday night we are in Cologne for One of the most critical matches of group E between Romania and Belgium. This group consists of the Ukraine, Romania, Belgium and Slovakia. By the end of this evening, it is possible that all four teams will have the exact same points. putting an extra level of pressure on these two battling it out in this very competitive group picked apart Ukraine with a 3-0 victory. It was their first win at a major tournament since June 20th, 2000. Romania had waited so long to get here and find themselves on the doorstep of the knockout rounds. a result against Belgium would officially clinch them into the round of 16. However, even if it doesn't go their way, Romania will have it all in their hands in their final match against Slovakia. Dennis Mann, Razvan Marin and Stanciu All balled out in their opening day victory If they can keep this going. Belgium could be on upset alert again. Meanwhile, Belgium could possibly be facing elimination. In their opening match of the group, they lost to Slovakia while having two goals disallowed. It was from a ranking standpoint. The biggest upset in the history of the European championships. It is a must-win for Belgium. A draw could still keep them alive, but if Romania comes away victorious this evening in Cologne, Belgium will be sent out of the European championships the same way they were exiled from the World Cup. Belgium are on The chopping block and very well aware what needs to be done. However, Romania will make things very difficult as they defend extremely well and as capable goal scoring options. I suspect it is going to be a battle until the very end. In group E we have Belgium and Romania with so much on the line considering how tight it is in his group. Romania look punch their ticket to The knockout rounds for the first time since 20. 00 meanwhile, belden simply looking to keep themselves alive as Romania and Belgium meet in Cologne at RheinEnergieStadion.

Romania came in full of confidence. While Belgium came in with desperation. Belgium was aiming for a fast start and that's exactly what came into fruition. Belgium in the second minute attacked Romania in their own box. Lukaku was defended well from behind as the ball comes into the box. He then pushes it out for Tielemans as the Aston Villa midfielder hits a vicious strike into the bottom corner past Nita to take a 1-0 lead. Talk about a fast start. They score inside of 2 minutes. The third fastest goal in the history of the European championships. Romania is a very disciplined defensive oriented team. they're key to points. fringes on defense and the counterattack. Belgium took advantage of their desperation needing a big result. A very quick way to get things going. However, plenty of time for Romania to get this one back. Romania got on the break almost immediately after conceding. They came within inches of getting an immediate equalizer in the 5th minute Maruis Marin drives a ball into the box Radu Dragusin gets his head on the end of it Casteels makes a huge save pushing it over the bar. despite conceding early in Romania, deliver a warning shot to Belgium. As one could expect Belgium continued to dominate the ball and push it into Romania's dangerous areas. However, the Romanians defensively were equipped to handle the firepower being thrown at them in the 11th minute Youri Tielemans looks to threaten the Romanian defense where they come up with a big deflection. It happened again a few minutes later In the 13th minute Jeremy Doku facilitated a chance for Romelu Lukaku as about him on the verge of breakthrough, but a tremendous tackle being issued by the Romanian defense ends the opportunity for the Belgium to capitalize on another. Romania occasionally pushed it forward. However, they were sitting back as Belgium was attacking them In the 18th minute. Kevin De Bruyne delivers a ball into Dodi Lukébakio It's very well taken as Nita makes an outrageous save getting his fingertips on the end of it the Gaziantep Goalkeeper came up big in that moment and continues to be sharp. In the 21st minute Romania managed to win themselves a corner Valentin Mihaila takes a strike from distance, but the Paramount winger doesn't test the opposing keeper. It happened again in the 24th minute Valentin Mihaila looking for enough space to squeeze the ball through from distance, but it deflects off of the Belgium defense. Romania slowly trying to take the wind out of the sails. outside of a few chances at the beginning they have handled Belgium well. In the 31st minute Florian Nita was prepared to deal with Jeremy Doku making another top. save tracking the ball very well. In the 37th minute Razvan Marin finds Dennis Man as he rips a vicious strike from the left side of the box heading towards the corner Casteels comes up with the save. In the 43rd minute Manchester cities, Kevin De Bruyne looks to extend the lead but runs into problems as Florian Nita Once again, making a big time. save as Belgium keep their narrow margins. In the 45th minute of Romania got themselves in at the corner Andrei Burca make a run in the box as he gets on the end of Stanciu's cross, but it drags wide. This would end the first half with Belgium holding on to a narrow 1-0 lead as a disciplined and well-prepared, Romania has kept Belgium in check outside of the opening goal.

A nightmare of a start for Romania. they were coming into it with a lot of confidence after the way they dismantled Ukraine nevertheless, Belgium hit them with a quick start. However, ever since that point of the match. Florian Nita has stepped up in goal and defensively Romania have handled belgium's big time Stars. Romania just like last time out did not carry very much of the ball. The ball possession being dominated by Belgium. However, Romania does have a strike ability through some of their explosive pieces and could see them come through In the second half it is far from over. Romania had an aggressive start to the second half in the 46th minute Andrei Ratiu found Dennis Man In a dangerous space, he's hits a strong effort from close range but can't find the equalizer and frustrations continue for Romania. 2 minutes later in the 48th minute Valentin Mihaila connects on a strike from the left side of the box but put too much power on it. Romania banging on the door but have somewhat struggled in front of goal. on both occasions, Romania very easily could be level. Romania moved the ball very well. One back possession didn't get caught out when Romania came forward and it was really kind of turning heads in the second half, they were fighting for this. In the 55th minute Romelu Lukaku delivers a ball for Kevin De Bruyne He pulls up from outside the box, but he's subsequently denied. Valentin Mihaila In the 57th minute, fountain himself in a dangerous position again, but the touch wasn't there as his effort curls over the corner. He's been really good in a lot of ways but in front of goal he just doesn't have the touch this evening. In the 64th minute, Lukaku found the back of the net. however, it was disallowed as Romania get a big break. Belgium were pushing for it and needed just one goal to kill it. However, as well as Belgium were doing Romania, defensively put them in difficult situations very often. unfortunately to come back and find an equalizer. They were going to have to risk themselves a little. Romania was the better team and second half and the showing it they just had some issues getting past the goalkeeper. In the 72nd minute Dennis Man had a great chance to stick it in the back of the net he opted for the right side instead of pulling it left as the goalkeeper comes up with it. 3 minutes later Marin on the least one from distance it seemed as a very risky decision to make but he actually came a lot closer than anyone probably would have thought. it was very well taken but it was just slightly off. We have seen him strike similar ones in Italy. However, despite all the good Romania had done and all the chances they had very close to equalizing Belgium would kill it off in the 80th minute Kevin De bruyne drives it into the bottom corner past Florian Nita as Belgium, take a 2-0 lead. Heartbreak for Romania as they had done so well but just hadn't found the equalizer they were looking for and what killed off. pretty much any attempt of possibly getting back into it. however, as currently constructed Romania, still top of the group with A strong chance to still qualify for the knockout rounds. it just seems like it's not going to happen tonight. In the 85th minute Denis Alibec Burst through the middle before being taken down in the box. In what should have been a penalty but the referee did not give it a look. despite having no chance to get points, Romania still pushed for that goal but it just didn't arrive. as things come to a close in Cologne with Belgium coming away with a very close and tight 2-0 victory.

Heartbreaking scenes In Cologne this evening as Romania had their chances but couldn't take advantage of them soon enough. even after the quick start from Belgium, Romania fought and battle and showed a great deal of courage. They hadn't been at a tournament since 2016 and just went toe to toe for Belgium. Belgium deserved the victory based on performances. However, Romania had the chances not only to power through and equalize but to win the match. Romania defended extremely well. they could not have defended at a higher level. Romania's goalkeeper Florian Nita put together a supreme display. the truth of the matter is none of us really thought that he would be Romania's first choice for this tournament. however, he has stepped up and stepped up in such a huge way both in the game against the Ukraine and against Belgium as well. Romania were very unlucky to not get anything from it. the lack of conviction in front of go cost them because they were good in every other facet and even on top of that they played with great courage and fought until the end. Belgium's Talent overpowered Romania against another team Romania would have won this game. those are just facts of it. They fought until the end but just came up short. However, there's plenty of positives one could possibly take from it. All that is required for Romania is to get one point on Wednesday. However, if Romania just beat Slovakia outright, they will make the round of 16. I have full confidence that my nation will pull this off and will end up in The knockout rounds. The Ukraine has Belgium. That's going to be a much more difficult to pull off then Romania beating Slovakia. Romania has it in their hands beat Slovakia and Romania will go through. However, it was disappointment tonight as Romania falls short against Belgium in Cologne.