da betobet： Slovakia and Romania played out a 1-1 draw that ensured both progressed to the knockout stages of Euro 2024, but will the former play England?
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Slovakia and Romania drawBoth teams progress to last 16Slovakia will play EnglandGettyTELL ME MORE
Despite both sides only needing a draw to progress, both Slovakia and Romania threw caution to the wind, at least in the first half.
Early on, Andrei Ratiu carved out a superb chance for Romania, cutting inside and forcing a good save from Martin Dubravka. But it was Slovakia who broke the deadlock; a looping cross into the box was met by Ondrej Duda, who found the bottom corner with a smart header in the 24th minute.
Around 10 minutes later, Romania were awarded a penalty after a foul on Ianis Hagi that was confirmed by VAR and Razvan Marin smashed in a thumping spot-kick. Both sides continued to push after the hour mark, with Marin and Denis Dragus both going close as the heavens opened, slickening the pitch and adding some unpredictable conditions to the equation.
In the rain, Lukas Haraslin flashed a shot just wide and as the clock ticked down, both teams appeared more than happy to settle for a draw to progress to the knockouts, where Slovakia will face England.
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Romania and Slovakia have now played each other on 12 occasions. Romania have won five of those meetings, while Slovakia have won one, and there have been six draws. No other stalemate will have been celebrated quite like this one, however.
GettyTHE MVP
Dubravka in Slovakia's goal may have been beaten by the penalty but he made a string of excellent saves to keep his side's draw intact. Strong when it came to commanding his box, and capable of genuine agility, he will be key to their hopes of progressing beyond the last 16.
THE BIG LOSER
As a result of their 1-1 draw, Romania and Slovakia have both qualified, and Ukraine have been eliminated despite taking four points from their three group games. It is a heart-breaking way to exit the tournament; every team with four points in third has progressed. Ukraine, because they finished fourth, are going home, and have become the first-ever team in the competition's history to do so with their points tally.