A Razvan Marin penalty canceled out Ondrej Duda's goal for Slovakia and both teams progressed, while Belgium, after drawing with Ukraine, finished second and also reached the knockout stage.
The four teams in Group E finished with four points with one win, one draw and one loss each. Romania finished first with a difference of 1 goal, the same as Belgium (Romania scored four goals to two of the Red Devils). Slovakia finished third as they had a better goal difference of 0 compared to Ukraine's -2.
Slovakia started on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch and giving the Romanian defense a difficult time. Juraj Kucka had the first chance with a header and moments later Dávid Hancko's shot went over the bar.
Romania responded quickly, their first shot on goal coming from a shot by Andrei Rațiu, brilliantly saved by Martin Dúbravka. Francesco Calzona's men then had their best opportunity so far, a free kick from Duda that went just wide. However, within a minute, the Slovakian midfielder found the back of the net with a perfect header.
Romania's reaction was another shot from Rațiu, again blocked by Dubravka. However, parity was restored shortly afterwards, after a penalty was awarded to Romania for a foul on Ianis Hagi. Răzvan Marin provided the emphatic conversion.
The game continued with ups and downs. Lukas Haraslin broke down the left but Florin Nița saved his shot. Marin then shot from the edge of the area, but Dubravka repelled his attempt.
David Strelec also had his chance, Nița was well positioned to save, and Slovakia reacted again with a Haraslin curler that went wide of the goal. No matter: one point each served to send both teams to the round of 16: Romania made history by winning a EURO group for the first time and the Slovaks finished third with the same total of four points.
The four teams in Group E finished with four points with one win, one draw and one loss each. Romania finished first with a difference of 1 goal, the same as Belgium (Romania scored four goals to two of the Red Devils). Slovakia finished third as they had a better goal difference of 0 compared to Ukraine's -2.
Slovakia started on the front foot, pressing high up the pitch and giving the Romanian defense a difficult time. Juraj Kucka had the first chance with a header and moments later Dávid Hancko's shot went over the bar.
Romania responded quickly, their first shot on goal coming from a shot by Andrei Rațiu, brilliantly saved by Martin Dúbravka. Francesco Calzona's men then had their best opportunity so far, a free kick from Duda that went just wide. However, within a minute, the Slovakian midfielder found the back of the net with a perfect header.
Romania's reaction was another shot from Rațiu, again blocked by Dubravka. However, parity was restored shortly afterwards, after a penalty was awarded to Romania for a foul on Ianis Hagi. Răzvan Marin provided the emphatic conversion.
The game continued with ups and downs. Lukas Haraslin broke down the left but Florin Nița saved his shot. Marin then shot from the edge of the area, but Dubravka repelled his attempt.
David Strelec also had his chance, Nița was well positioned to save, and Slovakia reacted again with a Haraslin curler that went wide of the goal. No matter: one point each served to send both teams to the round of 16: Romania made history by winning a EURO group for the first time and the Slovaks finished third with the same total of four points.
