Youri Tielemans breathed new life into Belgium’s Euro 2024 campaign as the Aston Villa midfielder’s goal after just 73 seconds inspired a vital 2-0 win against Romania on Saturday. This early strike set the tone for a match that Belgium desperately needed to win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Domenico Tedesco’s side would have been on the brink of elimination if they had suffered a second successive Group E defeat. The pressure was immense, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. A loss would have meant an early exit and another disappointment for a team that has often been labeled as underachievers on the big stage.
But Tielemans’ second-minute strike in Cologne eased fears of yet another major tournament flop from star-studded Belgium. The goal was a testament to Tielemans’ skill and composure under pressure, and it gave Belgium the confidence they needed to take control of the game.
Kevin De Bruyne wrapped up the points in the closing stages to leave all four teams in the group level on three points. De Bruyne’s goal was the icing on the cake, ensuring that Belgium secured a crucial victory and kept their destiny in their own hands.
The stage is set for a dramatic final round of fixtures in the battle to reach the last 16. With everything still to play for, the final matches promise to be thrilling encounters. Belgium face Ukraine and Romania play Slovakia on June 26, and both games will be pivotal in determining which teams advance to the knockout stages.
With 45 rungs separating the two nations in FIFA’s rankings, third-placed Belgium’s 1-0 loss to Slovakia on Monday was the biggest upset in European Championship history. The defeat was a wake-up call for Belgium, highlighting the unpredictability of football and the need for consistent performances.
Romania, ranked in 47th place, competed gamely as they chased their own shock, but this time Belgium’s superior class proved decisive. Despite their lower ranking, Romania showed great spirit and determination, but they were ultimately outclassed by a more experienced and talented Belgian side.
Having bowed out at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup and lost in the quarter-finals of the last two Euros, Belgium’s golden generation have given themselves fresh hope of finally delivering on their vast potential. The victory against Romania was a step in the right direction, and it has reignited belief within the squad and among the fans.
Romania had powered to a 3-0 win against Ukraine on Monday — their first victory in a major tournament since beating England at Euro 2000. The win was a significant achievement for Romania and a reminder of their potential to cause upsets in the tournament.
Despite this loss, Edward Iordanescu’s team are still in contention to make the Euro knockout stage for the first time in 24 years. The Romanian players and fans will take heart from their performances so far and will be determined to give their all in the final group match.
Belgium had failed to score in over 300 minutes at major tournaments since netting against Canada at the last World Cup. They needed less than two minutes to end that drought. The early goal against Romania was a relief for Belgium and a sign that their attacking prowess was back on track.
Influential De Bruyne
A sweeping move climaxed when Jeremy Doku’s pass found Romelu Lukaku in the Romania penalty area and he laid the ball back to Tielemans, who smashed a powerful low strike past Florin Nita from the edge of the area. The goal was a result of excellent teamwork and clinical finishing, showcasing Belgium’s attacking capabilities.
Romania’s Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin went close to equalising moments later with a towering header that Koen Casteels tipped over at full stretch. The near miss was a reminder that Romania were still very much in the game and capable of causing problems for Belgium.
After an injury-plagued season with Manchester City, in which he failed to reach his usual sky-high standards, De Bruyne had looked below his best against Slovakia. The Belgium captain was far more influential this time, with a lung-bursting surge that ended with a pass to Dodi Lukebakio, whose strike was pushed away by Nita. De Bruyne’s performance was a key factor in Belgium’s victory, and his leadership on the pitch was evident throughout the match.
Doku was denied by another good stop from Nita after wriggling through the over-worked Romania defence. The young winger’s pace and skill were a constant threat, and he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Valentin Mihaila wasted a golden opportunity to equalise soon after half-time, pouncing on Amadou Onana’s wayward pass and sprinting clear, only to blaze high into the stands. The miss was a turning point in the match, and Romania would rue the missed chance.
De Bruyne was moving through the gears ominously, curling just past the far post from 20 yards, then drawing a smart save from Nita with a shot on the turn. The Belgian playmaker was in fine form, and his creativity and vision were causing all sorts of problems for the Romanian defence.
Lukaku had two goals, including a late equaliser, disallowed by VAR against Slovakia. The striker was denied by VAR again in the 63rd minute when he converted De Bruyne’s pass before being ruled narrowly offside. The disallowed goals were frustrating for Lukaku, but he remained a constant threat and played a crucial role in Belgium’s attacking play.
Romania nearly profited from that escape as Dennis Man raced clear, but couldn’t find the accuracy to beat Casteels. The chance was another reminder of Romania’s potential to cause an upset, but they were unable to capitalise.
De Bruyne finally delivered the knockout blow in the 80th minute, running onto Casteels’ long punt and firing past Nita. The goal was a fitting end to a dominant performance from De Bruyne, and it sealed a vital victory for Belgium.
The win against Romania has given Belgium a much-needed boost and set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the group stage. With everything still to play for, the final matches promise to be thrilling encounters, and Belgium will be hoping to build on their momentum and secure a place in the knockout stages.
