Stunning strikes from Nicolae Stanciu and Răzvan Marin helped Romania secure a comfortable win in Munich.
Romania’s Răzvan Marin celebrates putting his side two goals ahead
Nicolae Stanciu and Răzvan Marin both scored superb goals as Romania cruised to victory over Ukraine in the teams’ Group E opener in Munich.
Key moments
8′: Coman shoots straight at Lunin from edge of area
29′: Stanciu finds top corner to put Romania ahead
38′: Man strike deflected narrowly wide by Stepanenko
53′: Low Răzvan Marin shot beats Lunin
57′: Draguş prods home Romania’s third
Match in brief: Romania clinical in final third
Ukraine were quick to gain a stranglehold on possession in Munich, albeit without seriously testing Romania goalkeeper Florin Niță. Florinel Coman sent a shot straight into the arms of Real Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin in Romania’s first foray of the game, before Artem Dovbyk blazed high over the crossbar at the other end.
Stanciu lets fly from the edge of the area
Edward Iordăscu’s side took the lead in spectacular fashion shortly before the half-hour mark. Dennis Man intercepted Lunin’s clearance before laying the ball off to Stanciu, whose curling first-time effort found the top corner. It was almost 2-0 before the interval, but Man’s shot was deflected narrowly wide of the far post by Taras Stepanenko.
Two goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half left Serhiy Rebrov’s team with a mountain to climb. Marin found the bottom corner after the ball fell kindly for the midfielder on the edge of the area, before Denis Draguş prodded home from close range following a quickly taken corner. Georgiy Sudakov tested Niță with a low attempt late on, but there was no way back for Ukraine.
Vivo Player of the Match: Nicolai Stanciu (Romania)
Stanciu’s magnificent effort put Romania ahead
His goal in the 29th minute gave big confidence to all the Romania players. Technically his shot is perfect with a good balance. Tactically in the system he leads the press.
Cristina Tache, Romania reporter
This has been a great day for Romania. The squad spoke about wanting to make their supporters proud, and they certainly did that in Munich. If Iordănescu’s team can keep this up, they could surprise a few people at this tournament.
Bogdan Buga, Ukraine reporter
This was a poor start for a team that many viewed as favourites for this match. The defeat was not down to quality or tactics. I believe it was all about nerves. Ukraine struggled to handle the pressure and excitement, weighed down by expectations and a strong desire to bring joy to their country.
Key stats
- This was only Romania’s second victory in their past 17 EURO matches (D5 L10).
- It was also Romania’s first victory in their opening match at a EURO final tournament (D3 L2).
- This is just the second time that Romania have scored three goals in a EURO match, after the 3-2 victory against England in 2000.
- Ukraine have won only two of their last ten EURO group stage matches (L8).
- Andriy Yarmolenko is the first Ukraine player to appear at four EURO final tournaments.
Line-ups
Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu; M. Marin (Rus 75); Man (Hagi 62), R. Marin, Stanciu (Racoviţan 87), Coman (Mihăilă 62); Draguş (Puşcaş 75)
Ukraine: Lunin; Konoplia (Tymchyk 72), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Zinchenko; Stepanenko (Brazhko 62), Shaparenko (Yaremchuk 62); Tsygankov (Yarmolenko 62), Sudakov (Malinovskyi 83), Mudryk; Dovbyk