Romania secured their first European Championship victory in 24 years with a stunning win over Ukraine in Group E.
Captain Nicolae Stanciu opened the scoring for Romania in the 29th minute with a brilliant strike from 20 yards that found the top corner.
Razvan Marin doubled Romania’s lead in the 53rd minute with a long-range effort that slipped under Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
Romania completed the scoring just four minutes later when Denis Dragus tapped in Dennis Man’s cross from close range.
Their previous Euro win was in 2000, where a late penalty from Ionel Ganea secured a 3-2 victory over England in the group stage.
Ukraine’s players are competing in their first major tournament since the full-scale invasion of their country by Russian President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
Last week, forward Mykhailo Mudryk revealed that his family in Krasnograd has been facing Russian missile attacks “day and night.”
Romania, ranked 24 places below their opponents in the world rankings, had prepared for the Euros with disappointing goalless draws against Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.
However, cheered on by a sea of yellow in Munich, they were gifted the opener when Lunin’s poor clearance was intercepted by Man, who set up Stanciu for a superb first-time shot into the net.
Buoyed by their goal, Romania dominated, and Stanciu nearly scored directly from a corner minutes later, his curling effort beating Lunin but hitting the crossbar.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin had a poor game and was also at fault for Romania’s second goal when he misjudged the flight of Marin’s strike, allowing the ball to slip under his attempted save.
Edward Iordanescu’s side secured their biggest win in the tournament with a third goal, as Dragus finished following a mazy run from the lively Parma forward Man.
Romania, unbeaten in qualifying, are now in a strong position to progress from Group E and will face Belgium in their next match on Saturday.
Ukraine, quarter-finalists at the Euros three years ago, were disappointing and took 77 minutes to record a shot on target.
Substitute Roman Yaremchuk hit the crossbar for Serhiy Rebrov’s team deep into second-half stoppage time.
Ukraine will face Slovakia in their next fixture on Friday.
Player of the match: R. Drăgușin.
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