Day 9 of Euro 2024 has only one game in store for us, which happens to be high-flying Romania taking on a wounded Belgium side in the final matchday 2 fixture at the RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne.
What appeared to be an easy route to fulfilling their ambitions of securing a relatively comfortable win, turned into another major tournament humiliation for Belgium, who were left rue their lack of cutting edge as well as many VAR decisions going against them in no doubt the biggest shock of the opening Euro 2024 matchday.
By virtue of Slovakia ending Belgium’s 15-match unbeaten run , the Red Devils are now last in the Group E standings and Slovakia beating the former would eliminate their chances of topping the group before they even kick a ball.
Few would have predicted a three-goal Romania victory against Ukraine for Euro 2024 – Serhiy Rebrov’s men had even been tipped as dark horses by many – but thanks in no small part to an Andriy Lunin disasterous showing, the Tricolours lit up the yellow-clad Allianz Arena.
Two mistakes from Lunin aided two long-range strikes from Nicolae Stanciu and Razvan Marin, before Denis Dragu? put the cherry on top for Edward Iordanescu’s men, who now hold the honour of recording Romania’s biggest win ever at the men’s Euros.
While none of Belgium’s starters or substitutes picked up any knocks against Slovakia, Thomas Meunier (thigh) was absent from the squad, while Axel Witsel (adductor) and Jan Vertonghen failed to make it onto the pitch despite being given the green light to make the bench.
Vertonghen has declared himself fit, though, and is an option to replace Yannick Carrasco on the left, but Witsel’s participation is still up in the air, while Meunier is not expected back in action until Belgium’s final group game versus Ukraine.
Naturally, Romania would be expected to send out an unchanged starting lineup, although local media have reported that Parma winger Valentin Mihaila is a candidate to replace Florinel Coman on the left wing.
Mihaila was apparently overlooked for a starting role against Ukraine due to an illness, although he still came off the bench for the final half-hour and shone in qualifying, where he scored three of the four goals he boasts for his national team.
Belgium
Form (all competitions, most recent first): L-W-W-D-D
Most recent result: Belgium 0-1 Slovakia, Euro 2024 E
European Qualifying: Finished top of Group F with 20 points
Romania
Form (all competitions, most recent first): W-D-D-L-D
Most recent result: Romania 3-0 Ukraine, Euro 2024 Group E
European Qualifying: Finished top of Group I with 22 points
While Belgium are clear favourites to win this contest, Romania’s recent performances have shown that they will have a very difficult and frustrating afternoon for the Red Devils. I’d go with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Belgium 1-0 Romania
Goalkeeper: Koen Casteels
Defenders: Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Andrei Ra?iu, Radu Dragusin
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Nicolae Stanciu, Razvan Marin
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku, Dennis Man, Leandro Trossard
Captain: Romelu Lukaku
Vice-Captain: Kevin De Bruyne
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