Romania’s Razvan Marin scored a first-half penalty to cancel out Ondrej Duda’s headed goal for Slovakia, resulting in a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2024 Group E match on Wednesday. Both teams’ draw ensured they advanced to the last 16 of the tournament.
With all four teams in Group E finishing on four points, Romania topped the group on goal difference over Belgium, while Slovakia secured third place ahead of Ukraine. The draw means Romania advances to the knockout stages of the Euros for the first time since 2000, while Slovakia reaches the last 16 for the second time, the first being in 2016.
The game in Frankfurt was characterized by a passionate atmosphere and a frantic pace, although the match itself lacked consistent quality.
Slovakia took the lead in the first half through Duda’s well-placed header from a Juraj Kucka cross. Romania responded later in the half when Marin converted a penalty awarded after Ianis Hagi was fouled by Slovakia’s David Hancko.
Despite further chances for both sides, including a dramatic moment when a thunderous clap interrupted play, the match ended with neither team able to break the deadlock. The draw sends both sets of fans into jubilation as they look forward to the next stage of the competition.
