Nicolai Stanciu put Romania ahead with a long-range strike in the first half before quick goals from Razvan Marin and Denis Mihai Dragos at the start of the second half.

It was Romania’s first win at a major tournament since a surprise three-goal win over England twenty-four years ago.
Jordanesco, who became the first coach to lead Romania to the European Championship since his father Angel in 2016, turned forty-six on Sunday.

Stanciu also hit the bar when Romania fully beat Ukraine, who are playing Euro 2024 against the backdrop of a war at home and hoping to give their citizens some joy even as Russian missiles continue to rain on the country.

The Ukrainian Football Federation unveiled a structure in Munich for a stadium stadium destroyed by Russian forces in May 2022, highlighting the ongoing conflict, ahead of the match.

Andriy Shevchenko, a former Ukrainian coach and striker who became president of the country’s football federation, said: “One team is on the field but (there) a million soldiers are staying and defending Ukraine. We are all together, today we are playing for the country, today we are playing for those who defend our lives and our country.”

It was an emotional game for both teams.

It was Romania’s first appearance at a major tournament in eight years and a number of players cried as the national anthem was played.