Romania and Slovakia each certified for the final 16 at Euro 2024 after a tense 1-1 draw of their final Group E recreation on Wednesday. Ondrej Duda put Slovakia forward within the first half however Romania’s Razvan Marin equalised with a penalty earlier than the interval. With all 4 groups within the group incomes 4 factors from their three video games, Romania completed high having scored extra targets than second-placed Belgium.  Slovakia went by means of in third place because of a superior objective distinction to fourth-placed Ukraine.

It was a memorable second for Romania, who’re into the knockout levels of the Euros for the primary time in 24 years.

Romania had solely certified as soon as for the final 16 of their 5 Euro appearances, however Edward Iordanescu’s tenacious aspect have ended that lengthy drought. They responded to Iordanescu’s pre-match problem to make “historical past” with a combative show fuelled by their military of vociferous followers, who turned the stadium right into a sea of yellow.

Slovakia are into the knockout levels of a serious match for the third time. They reached the final 16 within the 2010 World Cup and made it to the identical stage at Euro 2016.

Understanding a draw would ship each groups by means of, cynics had prompt they might play out a mutually helpful stalemate. However there was no signal of Romania settling for a degree as they made a quick begin.

They threatened an early objective when Andrei Ratiu’s stinging strike was pushed away by Martin Dubravka, with the rebound lashed wildly over by Ianis Hagi.

Romania mosh-pit

Marin smashed a free-kick narrowly large from lengthy vary moments late as Romania appeared to capitalise on their early dominance.

Slovakia had been inches away from snatching the lead as Lukas Haraslin’s free-kick went by means of a crowd of gamers and virtually crept in on the far submit. It was a warning Romania didn’t heed and Slovakia went in entrance within the twenty fourth minute.

Juraj Kucka whipped in a deep cross that caught the Romania defence standing statuesque, leaving the unmarked Duda free to energy his header previous Florin Nita from eight yards.

Romania’s response was emphatic as they drew degree within the thirty seventh minute because of an incisive raid from the son of former Barcelona and Actual Madrid star Gheorghe Hagi.

David Hancko’s foul on Hagi was adjudged a penalty by VAR after referee Daniel Siebert initially dominated the offence had taken place simply outdoors the realm.

Marin stepped as much as drill the spot-kick excessive into the roof of the web to the deafening delight of the hordes of Romania followers who turned the sector right into a frenzied mosh-pit.

The searing Frankfurt warmth gave method to a heavy storm within the second half as thunder, lightning and rain swirled across the stadium. It was a suitably dramatic backdrop to a tense conflict that was near swinging Romania’s manner when Marin compelled a very good save from Dubravka earlier than Denis Dragus skimmed the roof of the web.

Haraslin’s roller flashed previous the far submit because the storm abated, however, whereas there was no winner, each side ended up celebrating their progress to the knockout stage.