Successful reaction Lukaku's third goal at this European Championship is also disallowed, but Belgium still win

Linus Hämmerli

22.6.2024

Celebrating too early for the third time: Romelu Lukaku has been dogged by bad luck at the European Championships so far.
KEYSTONE

Belgium manage to respond to the 1-0 defeat in their opening game against Slovakia. Coach Domenico Tedesco's team beat Romania 2:0.

22.06.2024, 11:59

23.06.2024, 08:19

The Belgians occupy 3rd place in the FIFA world rankings. However, they were eliminated in the preliminary round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and face the same scenario at this tournament. The pressure was correspondingly high after the 0:1 against Slovakia last Monday. However, this had a positive effect.

The Belgians got off to an energetic start and took the lead after just 73 seconds through Youri Tielemans' shot from the edge of the penalty area - Romelu Lukaku had laid the ball back. It was also Tielemans who made the goal possible by winning the ball. The Aston Villa midfielder was one of the four players Tedesco had ordered into the starting eleven. Among them was defender Jan Vertonghen, who was recovering from injury and playing his 155th international match.

The Belgians continued to push forward after the 1:0, but despite some good chances, they were unable to score for a long time. Although Lukaku scored in the 64th minute, he was minimally offside. The AS Roma striker has been dogged by bad luck so far at the current European Championships. He had already had two goals disallowed against Slovakia, with the second annulment causing controversy. In the 80th minute, the outstanding Kevin De Bruyne made it 2:0 after all, scoring from a kick by goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

Although the Belgians were still superior after the break, the Romanians now put up more of a fight. Dennis Man came close to equalizing in the 68th minute, but failed to score alone in front of Casteels.

Despite the defeat, the Romanians remain top of Group E thanks to their 3-0 win over Ukraine in the first match. However, all four teams now have three points. This means that anything is still possible in the final games in this group next Wednesday. Belgium will then meet Ukraine, while Romania will face Slovakia.

The telegram

Belgium - Romania 2:0 (1:0)

Cologne. - 42'535 spectators. - SR Marciniak (POL). -
Goals: 2. Tielemans 1:0. 80. De Bruyne 2:0.

Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen; Doku (72. Carrasco), Tielemans (72. Mangala), Onana, Theate (77. Debast); De Bruyne, Lukaku, Lukebakio (56. Trossard).

Romania: Nita; Ratiu (90. Sorescu), Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Marius Marin (68. Olaru); Man, Razvan Marin, Stanciu, Mihaila (68. Hagi); Dragus (81. Alibec).

Remarks: 64th goal by Lukaku disallowed for offside. Cautions: 35. Lukebakio (suspended for third group game). 60. Bancu. 66. Marius Marin.