EURO 2024: Romania, Slovakia, Belgium through to Round 16

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.

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. 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.