By Samuel A. June 23, 2024
Belgium are finally up and running at Euro 2024 as they beat Romania [who beat Ukraine 3-0 on MD1] in Cologne to take control of Group E. Goals in both half from Youri Tielemans and the irresistible Kevin De Bruyne inflicted the damage on a night where Domenico Tedesco’s hungry Red Devils flaunted their attacking quality. After five agonising days of frustration following Monday’s infuriating 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in Frankfurt, Belgium flew out of the traps in style.
Jeremy Doku’s crafty dribbling pulled Romania’s backline out of joint, the winger punched the ball into Romelu Lukaku’s feet and he teed up Tielemans to drive home inside 73 seconds. It was the perfect response from the disgruntled Aston Villa maestro, who was a shock omission from Tedesco’s starting lineup for Belgium’s horrifyingly forgettable opener.
Romania were almost level in a flash when Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin’s powerful header forced a fine stop from Koen Casteels, who parried narrowly over the crossbar. However, Belgium continued to rip through the Romanians with arrogance, swagger and relative ease. Lukaku went within a whisker of doubling the lead when he collected another pass from Doku and shrugged Andrei Burca aside before a remarkable last ditch intervention from Nicusor Bancu diverted the ball marginally wide.
Dodi Lukebakio then went close when he danced inside Bancu and drew a credible diving save from Florin Nita. Doku, however, was undeniably the danger man. The quick feet 22 year old whizzkid, who showed glimpses of his exciting promise three years ago at Euro 2020, was relishing the big stage.
Romania were close to producing a lightning start of their own following the interval when Valentin Mihaila stormed through the centre of the pitch, only to fire over. Belgium soon turned the screw as De Bruyne began to stamp both his class and authority all over proceedings. First he wrapped the ball inches wide from 20 yards before stinging the palms of Nita. Then, Doku nearly tapped home De Bruyne’s low drive across the face of goal as Manchester City’s midfield marvel started to go through the gears.
Lukaku thought he’d doubled Belgium’s advantage when he raced onto De Bruyne’s defence splitting through ball and slotted home, only to be ruled offside by VAR. By this point, you started to wonder whether Lukaku, who has had more goals chalked off at Euro 2024 (three) than any other player has scored at the tournament, was cursed.
Up the other end, Dennis Man blasted a golden chance straight at Casteels before De Bruyne made Romania pay, racing onto a long ball from his goalkeeper and squirming home on 80 minutes to put the game beyond reach. Incredibly, all four sides in Group E now have three points to their name with one match left to play and are therefore in control of their own destiny.
