Report from Euro 2024 as Belgium beat Romania 2-0 for his or her first win of Euro 2024; Youri Tielemans opened the scoring after 73 seconds earlier than Kevin De Bruyne sealed the end result late on; Romelu Lukaku noticed a 3rd aim of the Euros dominated out by VAR; all 4 Group E groups are degree on factors
By Sam Blitz, @SamBIitz
7:28, UK, Sunday 23 June 2024
Belgium obtained their Euro 2024 marketing campaign up and working as Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne scored to beat Romania 2-0 to earn the Crimson Devils their first factors of the event.
Reeling from their unlucky but disappointing loss to Slovakia of their first sport, Domenico Tedesco’s aspect got here out all weapons blazing they usually had been rewarded after 73 seconds, as Tielemans blasted dwelling Romelu Lukaku’s lay-off from the sting of the world.
Belgium, led by the spectacular De Bruyne and residing confidently by the direct working of Jeremy Doku, felt nerves and frustration as their lead remained at one aim regardless of a formidable, collective group show.
De Bruyne curled one effort broad, then one other straight at goalkeeper Florin Nita after half-time. The irritation was summed up by a comedic second shortly afterwards as, for the third time this event, Lukaku was denied a aim by way of VAR, who penalised him for a marginal offside name after latching onto De Bruyne’s move.
Picture:
Belgium’s Youri Tielemans is congratulated by Romelu Lukaku after scoring
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In the meantime, Romania remained a risk and compelled Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels, who saved nicely from Radu Dragusin early on, right into a game-saving cease from Dennis Man – who ran clear after Amadou Onana’s poor header.
However the end result was sealed with 10 minutes left as De Bruyne latched onto a route-one ball ahead earlier than scoring a captain’s aim. With one spherical of Group E video games remaining, all 4 groups sit on three factors, promising a dramatic and tense conclusion to this pool subsequent week.
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Evaluation: Tedesco finds his greatest Belgium group
Picture:
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring his aspect’s second aim
That was extra prefer it from Belgium. You lastly really feel Domenico Tedesco has discovered his greatest group.
4 modifications had been made out of the defeat to Slovakia and all of the sudden the mixtures had been rather a lot higher. Romania restricted them to 2 targets, but it surely ought to have been extra.
Probably the most spectacular aspect of Belgium’s efficiency was their midfield three. Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne had been three necessary tandems, controlling the press and creating possibilities. It was no shock that two of them ended up on the scoresheet.
It led to Belgium profitable the ball a whopping 23 instances within the center and attacking thirds of the pitch. De Bruyne, Onana and Tielemans had been accountable for a 3rd of them.
Additional ahead, wingers Dodi Lukebakio and Jeremy Doku had been big threats. The latter ended up with probably the most possibilities on the pitch and his ultimate third regains tally was solely bettered by Romelu Lukaku, who as soon as once more felt the cruel line from VAR with one other disallowed aim.
However Belgium don’t depend on Lukaku discovering the scoresheet. They’ve many extra threats than that.
What they mentioned…
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne:
“We performed nicely, even when within the second half we gave them just a few alternatives. However above all we created rather a lot and we need to win.
“We made just a few errors and gave just a few possibilities however I feel we performed nicely offensively and defensively.
“Generally you create plenty of possibilities and you do not rating and ultimately, there is a lengthy ball coming and it is a aim. I discovered house and touched the ball simply in time to push it in.
“We create possibilities for him and Romelu all the time scores. He responds when he needs to be there and he’ll rating once more within the subsequent match.
“In opposition to Ukraine, we’ve to play like we performed as we speak but additionally like we did in opposition to Slovakia. We all know what we’ve to do.”
Participant of the match: Doku shines away from the scoresheet
No targets, no assists, however giving the ball to Jeremy Doku was a vital tactic that led Belgium to victory.
The Manchester Metropolis winger created extra possibilities than anybody on the pitch was his unbelievable tempo in behind pressured Romania again.
His link-up with Kevin De Bruyne was essential down the Belgium left and Doku’s enchancment over the past 12 months has an affect on the opposite Belgium gamers on this place. Dodi Lukebakio appears to be like like a precise duplicate on the other flank.
Doku additionally had the most effective passing accuracy price out of anybody within the Belgium group, a notworthy statistic with De Bruyne, Tielemans and Co additionally within the group.
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Stats: Story of the match
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Up to now in Group E…
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