Romania 3-0 Ukraine: Tricolorii cruise to victory in Group E opener

Nicolae Stanciu and Răzvan Marin both scored superb goals as Romania cruised to victory over Ukraine in the teams' Group E opener in Munich.

Match in brief: Romania clinical in final third

Ukraine were quick to gain a stranglehold on possession in Munich, albeit without seriously testing Romania goalkeeper Florin Niță. Florinel Coman sent a shot straight into the arms of Real Madrid custodian Andriy Lunin in Romania's first foray of the game, before Artem Dovbyk blazed high over the crossbar at the other end.

Stanciu lets fly from the edge of the areaGetty Images

Edward Iordăscu's side took the lead in spectacular fashion shortly before the half-hour mark. Dennis Man intercepted Lunin's clearance before laying the ball off to Stanciu, whose curling first-time effort found the top corner. It was almost 2-0 before the interval, but Man's shot was deflected narrowly wide of the far post by Taras Stepanenko.

Two goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half left Serhiy Rebrov's team with a mountain to climb. Marin found the bottom corner after the ball fell kindly for the midfielder on the edge of the area, before Denis Draguş prodded home from close range following a quickly taken corner. Georgiy Sudakov tested Niță with a low attempt late on, but there was no way back for Ukraine.

Vivo Player of the Match: Nicolae Stanciu (Romania)

Stanciu poses with the Vivo Player of the Match trophyGetty Images

His goal gave his team-mates a massive boost. Technically, his strike was perfect, and he scored while displaying good balance. Tactically, he was vital in their system as he instigated the press.
UEFA Technical Observer panel

Cristina Tache, Romania reporter

This has been a great day for Romania. The squad spoke about wanting to make their supporters proud, and they certainly did that in Munich. If Iordănescu's team can keep this up, they could surprise a few people at this tournament.

Bogdan Buga, Ukraine reporter

This was a poor start for a team that many viewed as favourites for this match. The defeat was not down to quality or tactics. I believe it was all about nerves. Ukraine struggled to handle the pressure and excitement, weighed down by expectations and a strong desire to bring joy to their country.

Romania's players celebrate with their fans at full timeGetty Images

Reaction

Edward Iordănescu, Romania coach: "I'd like to thank every Romanian everywhere in the world. I know that they were with us today. It was a fantastic effort by my team. If you had any doubts, I think you can believe me now that this is a great team. Congratulations to the lads. It's just incredible."

Nicolae Stanciu, Player of the Match: "It was the goal of my career. This shirt means everything to me. To score at a EURO finals and to win in the manner that we did, it's just incredible. [The support] was unique, we've never felt anything like this before. My siblings, my father and my wife all had tears in their eyes. I'd like to thank them all and I hope we've made them very happy today."

Răzvan Marin, Romania midfielder: "It feels amazing. I think 22 million Romanians are happy now, for sure. I'm happy and we need to keep going. The thought of people celebrating on the streets gives me goosebumps."

Serhiy Rebrov admitted his team didn't create enough in MunichGetty Images

Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine coach: "Clearly there were different components of the game. We had possession but didn't create any chances. Nobody expected this result. We have a very serious game in front of us. We have to talk among ourselves and we have to get ready for the next game."

Taras Stepanenko, Ukraine captain: "I'm really disappointed with our performance. Today, we were not the team we always have been. Romania deserved this win, and we have to keep going. We have two more games and we have to be strong and change the situation."

Roman Yaremchuk, Ukraine striker: "There are no excuses. We didn't show our game today and didn't follow the coach's instructions. Romania deserved this win, and we need to have a good conversation in the dressing room and move on."

Key stats

This is the second time Romania have scored three goals in a EURO finals matchAFP via Getty Images

• This was only Romania's second victory in their past 17 EURO matches (D5 L10).
• It was also Romania's first victory in their opening match at a EURO final tournament (D3 L2).
• Dennis Man is the first Romanian to provide multiple assists at an international tournament since Gheorghe Hagi against Colombia at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
• This is just the second time that Romania have scored three goals in a EURO match, after the 3-2 victory against England in 2000.
• Romania's only previous clean sheet at a EURO final tournament was in a 0-0 draw against France in 2008.
• Aged 36 years and 350 days, Niță became the oldest player to appear for Romania at a EURO final tournament.
• Ukraine have won only two of their last ten EURO group stage matches (L8).
• Andriy Yarmolenko is the first Ukraine player to appear at four EURO final tournaments.
• Ukraine's starting XI featured just one player aged 30 or older, the fewest of any team at EURO 2024 so far.

Line-ups

Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu; M. Marin (Rus 75); Man (Hagi 62), R. Marin, Stanciu (Racoviţan 87), Coman (Mihăilă 62); Draguş (Puşcaş 75)

Ukraine: Lunin; Konoplia (Tymchyk 72), Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Zinchenko; Stepanenko (Brazhko 62), Shaparenko (Yaremchuk 62); Tsygankov (Yarmolenko 62), Sudakov (Malinovskyi 83), Mudryk; Dovbyk