FRANKFURT – Slovakia and Romania advanced to the Euro 2024 Round of 16 after a 1-1 draw in their final Group E match on June 26, both finishing with four points, link web 789bet
The game saw Slovakia take the lead through Ondrej Duda’s header in the 24th minute, but Romania equalized with a penalty by Razvan Marin in the 37th minute after a VAR review.
After the final whistle, players from both teams celebrated their progression to the knockout stage. They were aware that a draw would be enough for both to advance.
Despite the high stakes, the match was an engaging contest with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities. A total of 11 shots were fired in the first 25 minutes alone. Slovakia opened the scoring when Ondrej Duda headed the ball into the far corner. The game remained lively for another 12 minutes until David Hancko fouled Ianis Hagi, initially judged outside the box by referee Daniel Serbert, but VAR awarded a penalty. Razvan Marin converted it, sending the ball into the top netting.
Marin (number 18) celebrates his equalizer at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt on June 26. Photo: Reuters
Following Marin’s goal, both teams adopted a more cautious approach. However, neither team settled for a draw in the second half, knowing that finishing top of the group would mean facing a theoretically easier opponent in the Round of 16.
Heavy rain in the second half didn’t dampen the players’ spirits. Romania came close to scoring through Marin and Denis Dragus, while Slovakia’s David Strelec and Lukas Haraslin forced Romanian goalkeeper Florin Nita into crucial saves.
In the final minutes, the teams slowed the pace as news came in that the simultaneous match between Belgium and Ukraine was also goalless. This meant Slovakia and Romania needed to avoid conceding to ensure progression. The 1-1 scoreline held, with Romania topping the group for the first time in their history and Slovakia advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Highlights of the Slovakia vs. Romania match on June 26.
For the first time since the expansion to 24 teams, all four teams in a group finished with four points. Group E winners Romania will face either the Netherlands or Slovenia in the Round of 16, while Slovakia will meet either England or Spain. Belgium’s 0-0 draw with Ukraine secured them second place in Group E, setting up a clash with France in the knockout stage.
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Lineups:
Slovakia: Dubravka, Pekarik (Gyomber 90+2), Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda (Bero 90+2), Schranz (Duris 70), Strelec (Bozenik 70), Haraslin (Suslov 70).
Romania: Nita, Ratiu, Burca, Dragusin, Bancu, Marius Marin (Rus 86), Hagi (Man 66), Razvan Marin, Stanciu, Coman (Sorescu 58), Dragus (Puscas 67).
