Romania in the European Nations League

Our team grabbed their first win in this year's edition of the competition

Steliu Lambru, 08.09.2020, 13:45

In the first
game in the Nations League Group B, Romania played Northern Ireland on National
Arena Stadium in Bucharest. Mirel Radoi’s trainees controlled the match,
especially in the second half, creating numerous scoring opportunities. The
match ended 1-all however. Reading’s striker George Puscas scored the goal for
Romania. Northern Ireland’s goalkeeper, Bailey Peacock-Farrell, pushed clear a
volley sent in by Nicolae Stanciu, the ball got to Vlad Chiriches, who sent a
cross to Puscas to score. On minute 39, Josh Magennis was shown a red second
yellow card and was sent off. In the second half, on minute 86, Northern
Ireland evened the odds after Gavin Whyte caught the Romanian defense line off-guard.
On minute 87, striker Denis Alibec’s shot on goal hit the post and the match
ended in a draw.

In the second
match in Nations League held on Monday in Klagenfurt, Romania played Austria.
Our team displayed a more offensive playstyle, managing to win 3-2. The first
goal for Romania came very early into the game. Forward Denis Alibec scored
after a counter-attack. Baumgartner made it 1-all 15 minutes later, sending a
deflected ball into the back of the net. After half-time Romania scored again,
on minute 51 Dragos Grigore’s shot found the net from the penalty box. On
minute 50, Alexandru Maxim scored sending a superb lob 16 meters from goal.
Austria scored their second goal on minute 81, Onisiwo heading the ball into
the back of the net after a good cross from Baumgartner.

In their first
game in the group, Austria defeated Norway 2-1 away from home. In the other
group fixture on Monday, Norway trounced Northern Ireland 5-1 away from home.
Ranking first in the group tables is Romania with 4 points, followed by Norway
with 3 points, Austria with 3 points and Northern Ireland with 1 point.

(Translated by
V. Palcu)