Mutu fires Romania to top spot

Adrian Mutu was at his scheming best as Romania completed back-to-back victories against Slovenia in Timisoara to move two points clear at the Group G summit.

Mutu header
Victor Piturca's team had been forced to wait until seven minutes into the second half before breaking the deadlock in the reverse UEFA EURO 2008™ fixture on Saturday and history looked to be repeating itself as Romania were initially kept at bay. Mutu eventually made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time, though, rising virtually unchallenged to head in Paul Codrea's pinpoint cross. It was little more than the home side's dominance deserved, yet it was not until 20 minutes from time that Cosmin Contra sealed the win, meeting Mutu's corner and beating Samir Handanovič with an exquisite volley.

Blistering start
It secured a victory that always seemed on the cards when, with the first whistle still reverberating, Mutu was sent clear. Handanovič did well to parry the ACF Fiorentina forward's half-volley but Slovenia were all at sea and Mutu should have scored 60 seconds later when he failed to connect with Florentin Petre's low cross. The visitors slowly began to gain a foothold yet this would prove a false dawn as Romania stepped up a gear on the half-hour.

Romanian pressure
Dorin Goian missed a fine chance when he contrived to direct a point-blank header against the crossbar before Mutu finally ended Slovenia's resistance. The goal caused extravagant dancing on the Romania bench, which might have become more energetic had Handanovič not kept out efforts from Ciprian Marica and Ianis Zicu soon after. Andrej Komac squandered a decent opportunity at the other end following the restart, but Slovenia never seriously threatened an equaliser and Contra rubber-stamped the win in style.