BelgiumRomania
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2′
Youri Tielemans
2′
Youri Tielemans
1 – 0
80′
Kevin De Bruyne
80′
Kevin De Bruyne
2 – 0
The Red Devils are alive again. With a convincing win against Romania, Belgium has once again significantly increased its European Championship chances. Youri Tielemans opened the party in Cologne early. Afterwards, missed opportunities and yet another disallowed goal left us trembling until the end. Fortunately, captain Kevin De Bruyne himself provided the redemption.
Belgium – Romania in a nutshell
There was so much fuss about Koen Casteels (and that other goalkeeper) before the European Championship. Today he was very necessary several times to keep the Romanians from equalizing and proved his absolute quality. With an assist as the icing on the cake.
Despite an early goal and a truckload of chances, it remained very exciting for a long time against the strong, resilient Romanians. Only ten minutes before the end, our captain De Bruyne went after a kick from Casteels and knocked the Romanians to the mat with his right hand.
It’s a shame, it’s that he isn’t allowed to score, it’s that Lukaku is just too ‘wide’. Our top scorer of all time tapped a ball into the net three times, three times it was whistled back by the VAR. Mister Unlucky.
If there was frustration in Frankfurt, there was urgency in Cologne.
You can’t start a match better than the Devils against Romania. After just 74 seconds, Belgium had already scored that crucial opening goal. And how.
An attack made in Anderlecht with Youri Tielemans – new to the starting line-up alongside Lukebakio, Vertonghen and Theate – in a starring role. First the midfielder captured the ball like a man possessed. Then, after an excellent combination of Doku and Lukaku, the ball hit the net unstoppably: 1-0.
This is how you show that you have learned lessons from Slovakia. Away from the doomsday scenario, a dream start for the Devils.
Almost immediately a warning followed that you are not just done with that unpredictable Romania. Barely 3 minutes after the opening goal, Burca aimed a header under the crossbar. Casteels had to stretch every muscle in his right arm to avoid a quick downer.
It would prove to be a rare Romanian chance for peace, who were overwhelmed by eleven razor-sharp Devils.
Man on a mission Lukaku mercilessly pushed a defender away, but saw Bancu risk life and limb to block his attempt. When a shot from Lukebakio – again set up after an excellent recovery from Tielemans – goalkeeper Nita stood in the way.
The Belgians would also dominate the rest of the first half – although without any real big opportunities.
Cruciale Casteels
After the break, peace of mind had to follow through a second goal. Because if you live on only 1-0, you still continue to tempt fate.
The Devils would be reminded of this early in the second half due to a shot from Man and plenty of space for Mihaila on a counter-attack.
Startled, Belgium showed a counter reaction with a handful of excellent opportunities. With De Bruyne twice in the role as a finisher and just as often as a pointer. At first without success. Until KDB sent his blood brother Lukaku perfectly towards the Romanian goal – an opportunity that the record shooter did not miss.
A relief that quickly turned back to disbelief. Because Lukaku saw that damned VAR message appear again – remember the two disallowed goals against Slovakia. Once again the video ref showed no mercy for a half toe offside. Not 2-0.
In minute 68, the above phase would have exploded in the Devils’ faces almost twice as hard. Because suddenly Man appeared alone for Casteels, who saved the Belgians from an equalizer with a great save.
Oof, say.
The final liberation would only follow in minute 80. On a long ball from Casteels – an award for his match – De Bruyne outwitted all his attackers and also the Romanian goalkeeper. 2-0. Finally.
The Devils can prepare for a new thriller with a match against Ukraine on Wednesday. All teams from group E enter the final matchday with three points.
Voltage assured.
Related:
Phase by phase
End!
It’s done, it’s over! The Red Devils get their first three points at the 2024 European Championship. It was work for the Belgians, who created many chances but simply failed to score. Tielemans’ early goal was only followed up ten minutes before the end. Casteels provided the assist, De Bruyne finished. One more goal would have helped us into first place, but the Devils didn’t finish.
The Devils continue to look for the third, because that would put us first in the group. Lukaku can break out, together with De Bruyne. He didn’t see that he could perfectly put his buddy on the road three or four times. When he does make the pass, it is too difficult.
An additional 4 minutes will be added.
Well, with four minutes to play, the victory now seems to have been won. The Romanians no longer resisted so much.
Almost undressed
Kevin De Bruyne emphatically looks for another goal, but then emphatically hangs on to Dragusin’s pants. Too, says Marciniak, the attack is canceled.
Lukaku still hits Nita
It’s all wavering in Cologne, the game goes up and down. Once again Trossard has a huge amount of space in front of him. A good pass would find Lukaku in front of goal, but it takes too long.
Faes made the mistake, but the Romanians did not punish it
On the other side there is another runner in the back of the defense. Alibec puts the ball past Casteels, but Castagne can still turn before the line. It’s really not over here yet.
Another good attack from the Devils, now Trossard has to give the pass. His cross is too hard and zooms over.
Come on Leandro!
We deserve a third goal, but we can’t get it! Great breakout, again from the Devils. A slalom from Carrasco, who then thrusts Trossard into the depths. Instead of kicking, he looks for the pass to Lukaku, who was not reachable. Lost opportunity, too bad!
Trossard just misses Lukaku!
De Bruyne with the liberation! Casteels with an assist for the 2-0
De Bruyne frees!
Then right? We don’t dare to hope anymore, but De Bruyne puts the liberator against the net! It is an assist from Casteels with a great kick. He doesn’t hit anyone else along the way, and our captain ticks past NIta. The VAR checks, but finds nothing!
2024-06-22 21:40:20
#victory #relief #Red #Devils #relaunch #European #Championship #cannon #start #rain #opportunities #Romania
