A goal and a point each sufficed to take both sides through to the round of 16, with Romania topping Group E and Slovakia third.
Happiness for Romania
Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 in the UEFA EURO 2024 Group E game in Frankfurt, with both teams qualifying for the last 16 – Romania as group winners and Slovakia in third place – after a Răzvan Marin penalty equalised Ondrej Duda’s goal.
Key moments
10′: Dúbravka keeps out Rațiu curler
24′: Duda scores with brilliant header
37′: R Marin equalises from spot
52′: Haraslín’s shot is saved by Niță
61′: Dúbravka denies R Marin
64′: Niță perfect on Strelec
Match in brief: End-to-end drama ends in draw
Ondrej Duda fires home the opener
Slovakia started on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch and giving the Romania back line a tough time. Juraj Kucka had the first sniff of a chance with a header and moments later Dávid Hancko’s shot flew over the bar.
Romania swiftly responded, their first effort on target coming from Andrei Rațiu’s curler, brilliantly saved by Martin Dúbravka. Francesco Calzona’s men then produced their best opportunity yet, a Duda free-kick that sailed narrowly wide. Just a minute later, however, the Slovakia midfielder found the back of the net with a perfect header.
Romania’s reaction was another Rațiu strike, again blocked by Dúbravka. Parity was restored almost immediately, though, after a penalty awarded to Romania for a foul on Ianis Hagi. Răzvan Marin provided the emphatic conversion.
The game continued to ebb and flow. Lukáš Haraslín broke from the left but Florin Niță stopped his shot. Next, that man Marin let fly from the edge of the box, only for Dúbravka to deny him.
Dávid Strelec also had his opportunity, Niță being well positioned to save, and Slovakia came again with a Haraslín curler that soared centimetres wide. No matter: a point apiece served to send both sides into the round of 16, with Romania writing history by winning a EURO group for the first time and the Slovaks finishing in third on the same four-point total.
Vivo Player of the Match: Stanislav Lobotka (Slovakia)
The midfielder controlled the game, always looking for the ball. Even when he was under pressure, Lobotka managed to find space or create space for others. He also displayed an impressive range of passing from deep.
Rastislav Hribik, Slovakia reporter
After a disappointing performance against Ukraine, the Slovaks produced better in their final game against a fired-up Romania team. They didn’t speculate, they played to win and crowned their efforts with the opening goal from Duda’s header. Despite the ensuing equaliser from the penalty spot, Francesco Calzona’s side pushed until the last seconds to snatch victory in the storm that swept Frankfurt. Even a draw, however, was enough for Slovakia to advance to the coveted round of 16.
Cristina Tache, Romania reporter
An interesting evening for Romania. It was a difficult match, against a pretty strong opponent, with chances for both sides. In the event this was a deserved qualification for Edward Iordănescu’s men which should give them confidence going forward. It was an occasion full of emotion with heavy rain, a wonderful crowd and attacking football from both teams. Romania proved that they can learn from their mistakes and aim even higher.
Reaction
Răzvan Marin’s impeccable finish from the spot
Key stats
- Ondrej Duda scored his 14th international goal with Slovakia.
- Slovakia have scored the first goal in three consecutive matches at EURO 2024.
- Slovakia qualified to the knockout phase of EURO for the second time, having reached the knockout rounds at EURO 2016 and exited in the group stage at EURO 2020.
- Slovakia have never won more than one match in a EURO final tournament group.
- Peter Pekarík and Juraj Kucka became the first players to reach the landmark of ten EURO appearances for Slovakia.
- Five of the last seven matches between Slovakia and Romania have finished level.
- Răzvan Marin scored his second goal at EURO 2024, his fifth in total for Romania.
- Romania topped their EURO group for the first time.
- Romania reached the EURO knockout rounds for the first time since EURO 2000. That is only the second tournament in six total EURO appearances that they have qualified from their group.
- Romania have never won more than one match in a EURO group stage campaign.
Line-ups
Slovakia: Dúbravka; Pekarík (Gyömbér 92), Vavro, Škriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda (Bero 92); Schranz (Ďuriš 76), Strelec (Boženík 71), Haraslín (Suslov 71)
Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu; R Marin (Rus 85), M Marin, Stanciu; Coman (Sorescu 58), Draguş (Puscas 66), Hagi (Man 66)