Belgium hit two past Romania to leave all four teams level in Group E
Domenico Tedesco’s bubble as Red Devils boss well and truly burst on matchday one, after suffering an odds-defying first defeat in charge against Slovakia.
But his players made a rampant start in Cologne, after Jérémy Doku and Romelu Lukaku linked up sublimely, teeing up Youri Tielemans to rifle home a right-footed strike past Florin Niță.
As well as being the third-fastest goal in Euros history, the strike ended Belgium’s unwanted record run of failing to score in three consecutive matches at major tournaments.
Edward Iordănescu’s men were no in mood to roll over and have their bellies tickled though, with Koen Casteels expertly parrying over Radu Drăgușin’s towering header from Marius Marin’s cross.
In response, Kevin De Bruyne looked to take matters into his own hands, with a majestic run forward to set up Dodi Lukebakio, whose left-footed effort was parried to safety by Niță.
Contributing further to a breathless first half, Denis Drăguș then exploited a gap in the Belgian defence, only to be denied by some smart goalkeeping from Casteels.
The Tricolorii continued to carry a threat after the break, and a blistering counter-attack resulted in Valentin Mihăilă firing a speculative strike over the bar.
The pulsating pace of this match was showing no sign of abating, and shortly after he curled a delicious right-footed attempt just wide, De Bruyne thought he had made a telling impact.
True to his largely impeccable style, the Manchester City maestro produced a perfectly weighted through ball for Romelu Lukaku to dispatch beyond Niță, but the Roma man incredibly saw a third goal disallowed in this tournament for offside.
Dennis Man threatened to rub salt in the wound in a one-on-one chance with Casteels, but fired straight at the Belgian keeper when an equaliser looked inevitable.
However, De Bruyne was not to be denied a goal which kicked the stuffing out of a plucky Tricolorii side once and for all.
It might not make many showreels for its aesthetic qualities, but its importance cannot be underestimated, as he outmuscled Radu Drăgușin and converted past the onrushing Niță.
It is a result which leaves Group E on a knife edge ahead of the final round of matches, with both of these teams – alongside Slovakia and Ukraine – harbouring genuine hopes of reaching the last 16.
The Belgians will face Ukraine in Stuttgart, while Romania take on Slovakia in Frankfurt, and fans can expect plenty of twists and turns in an exciting crescendo on Wednesday night.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
