Romania's Euro 2024 campaign is off to a stunning start as they ran out 3-0 winners against Ukraine – with a bit of help from goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
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Stanciu stunner opens scoringRomania go on to claim big winLunin at fault for two goalsGettyTELL ME MORE
The goalkeeper had a vital role in the game, but not in the way he would have wanted as he put Romania in the ascendancy in the first half despite his Ukraine dominating possession with 76 per cent in the first 30 minutes. Lunin's terrible clearance fell to Dennis Man outside the box and he squared it to Nicolae Stanciu for the captain to send it sailing into the top corner with a perfect finish.
Ukraine pushed forward after the opener but were unable to get a dangerous shot off and ended up finishing the half without a shot on target. Instead, it was Romania who came closest again as Denis Dragus' long-range effort was knocked wide of the post. His team almost netted another stupendous goal when the subsequent corner caught Lunin off guard and hit the woodwork.
Eight minutes into the second half, Romania doubled their lead when a challenge saw the ball fall in front of Razvan Marin and he smashed it first time from outside the box, sending it low under the hands of Lunin and into the bottom corner.
The fun kept coming for Romania after that. They were full of confidence against a Ukraine team whose belief had plummeted and before long it was 3-0 as Man's low ball into the middle of the box was diverted in by Dragus.
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Dennis Man is the first Romania player to provide two assists in a game at a major tournament since national hero Gheorghe Hagi did so against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup. Also, this game is just the second in which Romania have scored two or more goals in a game at a European Championship, having previously done so in a 3-2 win against England at Euro 2000.
GettyTHE MVP
Parma forward Man was a vital figure in Romania's impressive victory. Not only did he set up the first goal, he jinked his way into the Ukraine box and laid off a perfect pass to Dragus to knock home the third and truly wrap up the win. His movement into the box helped Romania find a way to threaten the Ukraine goal throughout the match.
GettyTHE BIG LOSER
Despite coming off the back of a fine season in which he won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, Ukraine goalkeeper Lunin could hardly have had a worse opening game to Euro 2024. He needlessly gave away the ball to provide Romania with the chance to go ahead through Stanciu's stunner and then let the ball slip below his hands to put Romania well and truly in the driving seat of this game.