Belgium began their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Romania in front of a packed crowd at the National Arena in Bucharest. Michy Batshuayi scored the only goal of the game in the 62nd minute, giving Belgium a valuable three points in their quest to qualify for the knockout stage.
Belgium took the initiative in the opening minutes of the match, with Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard pulling the strings in midfield. However, Romania held firm, and it took until the 20th minute for Belgium to create their first clear-cut chance. De Bruyne found Romelu Lukaku with a clever pass, but the Inter Milan striker fired his shot wide.
Romania grew into the game as the half progressed, and Ianis Hagi came close to opening the scoring in the 35th minute. The Rangers midfielder received a pass from Nicolae Stanciu and fired a shot from the edge of the box, but Thibaut Courtois made a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
Belgium on Top as They Beat Romania 1-0 in Euro 2024 Opener
Belgium started the second half with renewed purpose, and they were eventually rewarded for their persistence in the 62nd minute. De Bruyne once again played a key role, this time teeing up Batshuayi with a low cross. The Fenerbahçe striker made no mistake, firing home from close range to give Belgium the lead.
Romania fought valiantly to find an equalizer, but the Belgian defense stood firm. In the end, Romania were unable to breach the Belgian back line, and Roberto Martinez's men held on for a hard-fought victory.
Belgium's victory was a hard-earned one, but it was a deserved one. They controlled the match for long periods and created the better chances. Romania defended resolutely, but they were ultimately unable to contain Belgium's attacking talent.
Michy Batshuayi's goal was the difference between the two teams, and it was a crucial moment in the game. The striker has been in excellent form for Fenerbahçe this season, and he showed his quality once again with a clinical finish.
Kevin De Bruyne was outstanding for Belgium, pulling the strings in midfield and creating numerous chances for his teammates. He was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, but his performance was still a key factor in Belgium's victory.
Romania will be disappointed with the result, but they can take heart from their performance. They defended well for long periods and created their own chances. With a bit more luck and a more clinical edge in attack, they could have easily earned a point from this match.
Overall, this was a good start to Euro 2024 for Belgium. They showed that they have the quality to compete with the best teams in Europe, and they will be confident of qualifying for the knockout stage. Romania, on the other hand, will need to improve their attacking play if they want to progress in the tournament.
