Slovakia 1-1 Romania: Both teams through as Romania top group

Slovakia and Romania drew 1-1 in the UEFA EURO 2024 Group E game in Frankfurt, with both teams qualifying for the last 16 – Romania as group winners and Slovakia in third place – after a Răzvan Marin penalty equalised Ondrej Duda's goal.

Match in brief: End-to-end drama ends in draw

Ondrej Duda heads home the openerGetty Images

Slovakia started on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch and giving the Romania back line a tough time. Juraj Kucka had the first sniff of a chance with a header and moments later Dávid Hancko's shot flew over the bar.

Romania swiftly responded, their first effort on target coming from Andrei Rațiu's curler, brilliantly saved by Martin Dúbravka. Francesco Calzona's men then produced their best opportunity yet, a Duda free-kick that sailed narrowly wide. Within a minute, however, the Slovakia midfielder found the back of the net with a perfect header.

Romania's reaction was another Rațiu strike, again blocked by Dúbravka. Parity was restored soon after, though, following a penalty award to Romania for a foul on Ianis Hagi. Răzvan Marin provided the emphatic conversion.

The game continued to ebb and flow. Lukáš Haraslín broke from the left but Florin Niță stopped his shot. Next, that man Marin let fly from the edge of the box, only for Dúbravka to repel his attempt.

Dávid Strelec also had his chance, Niță being well positioned to save, and Slovakia came again with a Haraslín curler that soared just wide of the target. No matter: a point apiece served to send both sides into the round of 16, with Romania writing history by winning a EURO group for the first time and the Slovaks finishing third on the same four-point total.

Vivo Player of the Match: Stanislav Lobotka (Slovakia)

The midfielder controlled the game, always looking for the ball. Even when he was under pressure, Lobotka managed to find space or create space for others. He also displayed an impressive range of passing from deep.
UEFA Technical Observer panel

Rastislav Hribik, Slovakia reporter

After a disappointing performance against Ukraine, the Slovaks produced better in their final game against a fired-up Romania team. They didn't speculate, they played to win and crowned their efforts with the opening goal from Duda's header. Despite the ensuing equaliser from the penalty spot, Francesco Calzona's side pushed until the last seconds to snatch victory in the storm that swept Frankfurt. Even a draw, however, was enough for Slovakia to advance to the coveted round of 16.

Cristina Tache, Romania reporter

An interesting evening for Romania. It was a difficult match, against a pretty strong opponent, with chances for both sides. In the event this was a deserved qualification for Edward Iordănescu's men which should give them confidence going forward. It was an occasion full of emotion with heavy rain, a wonderful crowd and attacking football from both teams. Romania proved that they can learn from their mistakes and aim even higher.

Reaction

Răzvan Marin's impeccable finish from the spotGetty Images

 Francesco Calzona, Slovakia coach: "A great game from our side, the boys did a great job and we gave the opponent very little space. I'm very happy, we are very happy to advance. I think we have achieved something important. We were able to play three matches at a high level against teams that are higher in the rankings. We have another goal in front of us – we want to stay in the competition as long as possible. I believe we will be well prepared for the round of 16."

Stanislav Lobotka, Slovakia midfielder: "It's indescribable at the moment. We did it and I am most pleased that we did it with our own style of football. From the beginning we wanted to play our game, we fought for each other. Even after losing the ball, we all wanted it back. We did it as one team. We will try to get as far as we can."

Edward Iordănescu, Romania coach: "These are things you experience once in a lifetime. Thank you to all the fans, the ones who have made us feel at home in our three games, and those at home in Romania. I am proud to be Romanian. I think everyone is proud. I don't know what can happen next, but we have reached the next stage. It's incredible, I hope this continues. I want to congratulate my players – we found a spirit and don't have to lose it again."

Ianis Hagi, Romania midfielder: "I am proud of what we've accomplished tonight. We made a promise and we managed to keep the promise. It was a great responsibility for me to play in the starting XI, but I did my best and I showed what I can do. It was hard to me to recover after my injury and to be off the pitch for a year, so to be at this EURO is a dream come true. It is a historic moment for us and for Romania. I am so happy to be following in my father's footsteps."

Key stats

• Ondrej Duda scored his 14th international goal for Slovakia.
• Slovakia have scored the first goal in three consecutive matches at EURO 2024.
• Slovakia have qualified for the knockout phase of a EURO for the second time, having reached the knockouts at EURO 2016.
• Both Romania and Slovakia have never won more than one match in a EURO finals group.
• Peter Pekarík and Juraj Kucka became the first players to reach the landmark of ten EURO appearances for Slovakia.
• Five of the last seven matches between Slovakia and Romania have finished level.
• Răzvan Marin scored his second goal at EURO 2024, and his fifth in total for Romania.
• Romania topped their EURO group for the first time.
• Romania have progressed to the EURO knockout rounds for the first time since EURO 2000, making it their second successful group campaign from a total of six EURO tournament appearances.

Line-ups

Slovakia: Dúbravka; Pekarík (Gyömbér 92), Vavro, Škriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda (Bero 92); Schranz (Ďuriš 76), Strelec (Boženík 71), Haraslín (Suslov 71)

Romania: Niță; Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu; R Marin (Rus 85), M Marin, Stanciu; Coman (Sorescu 58), Draguş (Puscas 66), Hagi (Man 66)