Belgium will face Romania on Saturday in a crucial match following their surprising loss to Slovakia in the opening game of Group E at Euro 2024. The third-ranked team in the world suffered a 1-0 defeat, ending their 14-game unbeaten streak. Romania, on the other hand, secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their first match, putting them at the top of the group.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming match:
Match Facts:
– Romania can secure a spot in the round of 16 by defeating Belgium. A draw could also be enough for them to advance, as no team has failed to progress to the knockout stage of the Euros with four points.
– The unexpected loss to Slovakia may have brought back painful memories for Belgium, as they were eliminated in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup despite being ranked second in the world.
– Romania’s victory against Ukraine marked their first win at the Euros in 24 years.
– Romelu Lukaku, who was the top scorer in Euros qualifying with 14 goals, had a frustrating game against Slovakia with two goals disallowed by VAR.
– Nicolae Stanciu was a standout performer for Romania in their win over Ukraine, scoring an impressive long-range goal and coming close to scoring directly from a corner kick.
Team News:
– Romania has no reported injury concerns ahead of the match.
– Belgium’s Axel Witsel, Jan Vertonghen, and Arthur Theate were sidelined in the game against Slovakia due to injury doubts.
By the Numbers:
– Lukaku holds the record for most goals scored by a Belgian player with 85 goals. His 14 goals in qualifying also set a new record for the Euros.
– Dennis Man of Romania leads in assists with two in the tournament.
– Romania’s 3-0 victory over Ukraine was their largest win at the Euros.
– Belgium ranks fifth overall in possession percentage with 56%.
– The defeat to Slovakia was Belgium’s first loss under coach Domenico Tedesco, who has won 10 out of 15 games in charge.
What They’re Saying:
– Romania midfielder Ianis Hagi expressed confidence ahead of the match, stating, “It’s a difficult game, totally different from the first. However, we have courage, belief in ourselves, and we know what we can do.”
– Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco reflected on their previous game, saying, “The only thing that we didn’t do well (against Slovakia) was missing chances. We had plenty. It’s part of the game.”
As the teams prepare to face off, fans can expect an intense and competitive match between Belgium and Romania. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on UEFA Euro 2024.