European Championship U-21: Romania defeats England 4-2 to top Group C

The national football U-21 team of Romania defeated England on Friday 4-2 (0-0) in Cesena, in a match counting for Group C of the European Championship U-21.

Romanian scored 4 goals in the last 15 minutes to win and top the group, aiming at qualifying to the semi-finals.

For Romania scored George Puşcaş (76^th minute – penalty kick – photo), Ianis Hagi (85^th minute) and Florinel Coman (89^th minute, 90th+3), and for England Demarai Gray (79^th minute) and Tammy Abraham (87^th minute).

In another match of Group C, France defeated Croatia 1-0.

Group C standings: 1. Romania – 6 points; 2. France – 6; 3. England – 0; 4. Croatia -0.

The last matches in the group will be played on Monday: France vs. Romania and Croatia vs. England, both at 22.00h, Bucharest time.

Teams:

England: 1. Dean Henderson – 3. Jay Dasilva (23. Tammy Abraham, 77^th min.), 4. Jake Clarke-Salter (captain), 12. Jonjoe Kenny, 5. Fikayo Tomori – 6. Kieran Dowell, 17. Harvey Barnes (11. Ryan Sessegnon, 46^th min.; 10. Phil Foden, 57^th min.), 7. Demarai Gray – 18. Mason Mount, 19. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 8. James Maddison. Coach: Aidy Boothroyd.

Romania: 1. Ionuţ Andrei Radu (captain) – 6. Cristian Manea, 5. Ionuţ Nedelcearu, 4. Alexandru Paşcanu, 3. Florin-Bogdan Ştefan – 21. Tudor Băluţă, 17. Alexandru Cicâldău – 8. Dennis Man (14. Vlad Dragomir, 74^th min.), 10. Ianis Hagi (16. Dragoş Nedelcu, 87^th min.), 19. Andrei Ivan (7. Florinel Coman, 63^rd min.) – 9. George Puşcaş. Coach: Matei Mirel Rădoi.

Ianis Hagi: We had to win

After the match, Ianis Hagi said the goal was to win the match.

“Our thoughts were to win the match, as a draw would get them out of the race but would make us have hard times against France. We would have needed a victory. When you see on the pitch that you can do it, you have hopes to win the match, then you go all the way and win it. We still have energy. Only two matches were played. There’s a lot ahead,” Ianis Hagi said.