COLOGNE, Germany — King Kev made sure of his victory in front of the Belgian royal family.
Belgium bounced back from a shock loss to Slovakia in their European Championship opener to beat Romania 2-0 on Saturday.
Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half goal completed the win, while Youri Tielemans scored in the second minute at the Cologne Stadium.
Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were also watching the event.
“We knew what we had to do. We needed to win, otherwise we could go home,” De Bruyne said. “I will do everything I can to keep the boys on track.”
This was just what Belgium needed after their impressive win over Slovakia, as the team look set to miss another major tournament early after their group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup.
Tielemans gave the world No. 3 ranked side a great start by scoring from the edge of the area. De Bruyne scored directly from a long kick past Belgium goalkeeper Koen Casteels in the 80th minute.
The result means all four teams in Group E have three points each and will now play the final round of matches on Wednesday, with Belgium facing Ukraine and Romania facing Slovakia.
“I am very relieved that we won the match. It was very important to get the three points,” Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco said.
Belgium won, but there was more disappointment for Romelu Lukaku, whose third goal was ruled out by VAR.
Nevertheless, he was at the heart of his side’s bright start when he laid the ball off to Tielemans from the edge of the box.
Belgium have been criticised for failing to live up to expectations in the past, and their opening defeat will do the team no favours in terms of confidence ahead of Saturday’s match.
Tielemans’ goal eased the pressure and Belgium maintained 67% ball possession for the remainder of the half.
Czech Republic 1,
Georgia 1
HAMBURG, Germany — Georgia earned its first point at a major tournament by drawing with the Czech Republic. It was almost like a win.
Midfielder Saba Lobzhanidze smashed his shot over the bar on the last kick of the game, sending Georgia’s promising three-on-one counter-attack to waste.
Lobjanidze – who plays for Atlanta United in the US state of Georgia – appeared to cry after the final whistle and was consoled by coach Willy Sagnol.
“As I tried to tell him, those who never tried, never missed. And the best way to miss is to try,” Sagnol said.
“There were some mixed emotions in the locker room after the match. I think in the first minutes the players were a bit disappointed because of the big occasion, but I hope they will soon realise that they have scored their first point in a major tournament.”
There was a huge gap in experience, with the Czech team playing in their eighth consecutive European Championship, while Georgia, once part of the Soviet Union, was making its debut as an independent nation.
Earlier, video reviews were in the spotlight.
The Czech Republic dominated the opening stages and celebrated with the first goal in the 23rd minute when Adam Holojek headed the ball into the net at the far post from a long throw-in.
However, replays showed Holojek’s shot bounced off goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and hit the Czech forward in the face and arm.
The situation turned around when Georgia defender Guram Kashia shot straight at the goalkeeper just before halftime. Georgia fans lamented the missed chance, but celebrated when a video review found the ball had come off Czech defender Robin Hranak’s hand seconds earlier.
Portugal 3,
Türkiye 0
DORTMUND, Germany — In the end, it was hard to know what Cristiano Ronaldo was more unhappy about.
Failing to score for the second consecutive match at the European Championship or thwarting repeated selfie attempts by his fans.
Five-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo had a sensational match, scoring no goals against Turkey, assisting just one goal and contributing four selfie-taking field goals as Portugal booked their place in the round of 16.
Ronaldo, one of the world’s most popular and well-known sports stars, was, as usual, the centre of attention at the Westfalenstadion. But things didn’t turn out as he might have hoped.
“That’s the price you pay for being so recognised in the football world,” said Ronaldo’s Portugal teammate Bernardo Silva.
Ronaldo scored his first goal of the tournament when he headed home the third goal from an unselfish pass from Bruno Fernandes. He could have had an easy shot after being played clean through.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez praised his captain Ronaldo, saying “It was a true moment in Portuguese football. It should be shown in every academy in world football.”
Things then got a little awkward and possibly unsafe for the former Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus striker.
Ronaldo had no problem posing for a photo with a young boy who dodged a steward and entered the field in the 69th minute and then pulled out his cell phone. The fan fled before he could be restrained and led away – but not before waving to the crowd.
However, Ronaldo was not amused when two other fans with phones tried the same tactic in the final minutes of the game. He raised his hands in disgust the first time and appeared to be actively trying to avoid it the next time he defended a corner.
After the final whistle, there was a further lapse in security as a fan wearing a Portugal jersey tried to get close to Ronaldo while holding a phone. He was soon tackled to the ground after Portugal players left the field, before two more fans were prevented from confronting Ronaldo.
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring a goal that was later disallowed during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne (left) celebrates with Belgium’s Yannick Carrasco after scoring his team’s second goal during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates with his teammates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Frank Augustin)
Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, back center, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Andrei Burca of Romania reacts after missing a goal-scoring chance during the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Belgium’s King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Prince Emmanuel and Prince Gabriel arrive for the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Romanian players react after the Group E match between Belgium and Romania at the Euro 2024 football tournament in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)