Belgium got their first win at the 2024 European Championship after defeating Romania 2-0 on Saturday night.
EURO 2024
Result: Belgium 2-0 Romania
Date: 22 June 2024
Venue: Cologne Stadium
Belgium dropped Leandro Trossard and preferred instead Dodi Lukebakio to join Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in attack while they were also boosted by the return of Youri Tielemans from injury.
The Red Devils had a perfect start after Tielemans gave them the lead within the first two minutes with a strike on the edge of the box after a good hold up play from Lukaku.
Domenico Tedesco's charges remained on the front foot and on 18 minutes Lukebakio almost doubled their lead with a curling shot in the box that brought the best out of goalkeeper Florin Nita.
Belgium, however, settled into a passing game and Romania were hard to break down towards the interval and without being threatened, they settled for a narrow lead at the break.
Tedesco's men increased their intensity from the break and eight minutes later De Bruyne almost doubled their lead with a curled shot that missed the far post by inches wide.
Moments later, the Red Devils were not taking chances with Lukebakio on a yellow card he picked up early in the game and he was replaced by Trossard.
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Belgium remained on the front foot and shortly after the hour-mark, Lukaku found the back of the net with a clinical low finish after going through on goal but the goal was chalked off for offside.
The Roma forward was still fired up as a few minutes later he had another chance with a volley in the box that was well saved by Nita.
Belgium continued to have spaces behind the Romania defence, who were looking to get back into the game and De Bruyne eventually gave them a two-goal cushion in the last ten minutes with an outstretched shot after a lofted through ball by Koen Casteels.
The Tricolours continued to be vulnerable to counter-attacks as towards the end Lukaku had a chance to make it 3-0 for the Red Devils after bursting his way through on goal but he was denied by Nita.
The writing was on the wall in added time as Belgium clinched maximum points and equalled every team in Group E on three points but went top on goal difference.
