Slovakia and Romania join Belgium in the Euro 2024 knockout round after both games in Group E ended all square, meaning Ukraine make a group stage exit.
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Slovakia and Romania secured their spot in the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after both games in Group E ended all square.
After providing plenty of drama throughout the first two matches of the group stage, including becoming the first-ever group in Euro history where all four teams were level on three points heading into the final game, the last day proved to be much less dramatic.
A strong first half from Slovakia eventually saw them take the lead after 24 minutes thanks to Ondrej Duda, but a controversial penalty decision saw Romania equalise from the spot just 13 minutes later, leaving the game level at half time.
As Belgium and Ukraine also drew in the other game in Group E, Romania have progressed through at the top of Group E and Slovakia will progress as one of the four best third-placed sides.
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Slovakia unfortunate to be level at half time
Despite a draw being enough for both teams to progress into the next round, Slovakia showed plenty of intent throughout the first half, especially in the opening 25 minutes as they dominated the majority of the play.
While Slovakia did only have two shots more than Romania’s seven, Francesco Calzona‘s side were clearly on the front foot for much of the first half and there was an obvious aim to deliver plenty of crosses into the Romania box.
Edward Iordanescu‘s men did well to defend their penalty area on a number of occasions, but they eventually succumbed to the pressure when Duda headed into the goal to open the scoring after 24 minutes.
Romania did look to get on the attack more frequently after going behind, but Slovakia were never truly tested and looked certain to take a lead into half time. However, David Hancko‘s challenge on Ianis Hagi, which was initially given as a free kick, was controversially deemed to be a penalty despite the initial contact taking place outside the area, and Razvan Marin made no mistakes from the spot as he excellently dispatched into the top left corner.
Intensity drops as both teams settle for a point in second half
After an energetic first 45 minutes, there was a clear drop in intensity levels from both teams in the second half with the knowledge that just a point for each would be enough to see them through to the knockout rounds of the competition.
16 shots in the first half was followed by just six shots in the second and neither side ever truly looked like wanting to push numbers forward in order to prevent being counter-attacked, leaving both sides playing at much slower speeds.
A point for Slovakia saw them qualify as one of the best third-placed sides in the tournament with four points, while Romania qualified in top spot in Group E.
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Edward Iordanescu one-ups his father by guiding Romania to Euro knockouts
Current Romania manager Edward Iordanescu is coincidentally the son of legendary Romanian coach Anghel Iordanescu, widely regarded as the country’s best manager for several reasons. Under Anghel’s guidance, Romania reached the quarter-finals of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, their best-ever performance in this tournament, and consistently qualified for major tournaments, establishing themselves as a formidable side in European football.
However, one milestone that evaded Anghel was leading Romania to the knockout rounds of the European Championships. In a remarkable turn, his son Edward has now achieved just that, guiding Romania to progress through Group E in xxx position, and thus surpassing his father’s Euro legacy.
What next for Romania and Slovakia?
Having finished top of Group E, Romania have qualified for their first-ever knockout rounds of a European Championships and are now set to face up against third place from any of Group A, B, C or D.
As for Slovakia, they could face either Spain or England after they secured third place in Group E.
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