Belgium revived their European Championship campaign with a decisive 2-0 win against Romania, showcasing their strategic prowess and attacking flair before an enthusiastic crowd. This performance has set a positive trajectory for the rest of their group stage matches.
Head coach Domenico Tedesco, despite downplaying their earlier loss to Slovakia, made four key changes to the lineup. These adjustments paid off quickly, with Youri Tielemans, stepping in for Orel Mangala, scoring just 73 seconds into the match. The move started with Romelu Lukaku, who drove deep into Romanian territory, passing to Kevin De Bruyne, who then connected with Jérémy Doku. Doku found Lukaku again at the penalty spot, who set up Tielemans for a low shot past Romanian goalkeeper Florin Nita.
Belgium’s performance in the first half was a blend of elegance and power. Romania briefly threatened with Radu Dragusin’s header, but Belgium’s dominance was clear. Romania, strong against Ukraine in their previous match, struggled to keep pace and were fortunate to stay in the game by halftime.
Dodi Lukebakio, playing on the right wing, delivered a standout performance. Fresh from a successful debut season at Sevilla, he displayed composure, directness, and technical skill. His shot, following a remarkable run by De Bruyne, was saved by Nita, who deflected the 20-yard effort around the post.
The second half was equally exciting, with Romania trying to assert themselves. Valentin Mihaila had a chance to equalize but missed. Belgium, led by Doku’s dynamic play, quickly regained control. Lukaku had opportunities, including one from a De Bruyne free-kick, but was thwarted by weak finishing and an offside ruling by VAR.
Romania’s best chance came from Dennis Man, but Casteels made a crucial save. Belgium finally sealed the victory in dramatic fashion with a long goal kick from Casteels finding De Bruyne, who outpaced the Romanian defense to score. De Bruyne’s celebratory slide on his knees energized the crowd.
Despite some tense moments towards the end, Belgium maintained their lead, revitalizing their campaign and positioning themselves strongly for their final group match against Ukraine. The Red Devils have shown they are still a formidable force in the tournament, leaving fans optimistic about their prospects.