Euro 2020 Match 18: Romanian Draw at Stade de France Keeps Euro 2020 Hopes Alive

The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2020.

Euro 2020 Match 18: Romania v France

Romanian Draw at Stade de France Keeps Euro 2020 Hopes Alive

June 20, 2020

Romania 1 France 1

 

Romania flew to France to earn their first point of the tournament with a penalty levelling the match.

 

The side in yellow, red and blue worked on gaining possession early, which led to their attacking and their first shot on target from Răzvan Marin that needed a choice save from Hugo Lloris.

 

From the resulting corner, France’s defence held firm. That shifted the momentum of the match, as they began a stranglehold in the midfield. Then, Olivier Giroud stepped up in the 22nd minute to take a free kick, and the talisman made no mistake.

 

France earned another free kick fourteen minutes later, only for Kylian Mbappé’s shot to fly way over the bar.

 

Instead, Romania gained a penalty after a handball in the box, and Nicolae Stanciu stepped up and punted the ball to the right of Lloris, who did not end up diving for the ball.

 

As additional time approached, George Puşcaş took a shot from just inside the box, only for Lloris to parry it away. Once again, France dealt with the corner.

 

In the second half, France kept going to Mbappé’s wing, while Romania held firm. The early chances went all France’s way. First Mbappé sent a long, low ball to Giroud, who should have scored, only for Ciprian Tătăruşanu’s hand to hit the ball at the same time as Giroud’s boot, and the ball was safe for the moment. Antoine Griezmann was first to the ball and heeled it back to Moussa Sissoko, who passed it front of Kingsley Coman. That shot was blocked, before the Romanian managed to clear the ball.

 

In the following play, Giroud and Sissoko had a shot each before Giroud’s next attempt was blocked like the previous and out for a corner. Paul Pogba came off the bench and nearly scored, only for Tătăruşanu to reach it in time.

 

Corentin Tolisso then had his own shot blocked, before Mbappé, Wissam Ben Yedder and Sissoko combined. Sissoko should have scored, only for his weak shot to be partially blocked by a defender and easy pickings for the Romania goalkeeper.

 

Romania had a couple of late attempts, but they were both closed down before the shot could transpire.

 

Romania celebrated the draw, knowing they had a good chance to advance to the Round of 16 in their do or die battle against the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Turkey and France will battle for first place, with the loser having a slim chance of dropping to third.

 

	Group C	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Turkey	2	1	1	0	4	+1
2	France	2	1	1	0	4	+1
3	Romania	2	0	1	1	1	-1
4	Netherlands	2	0	1	1	1	-1