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Belgium vs Romania Euro 2024 predictions & team news: Can Lukaku shake Slovakia defeat?

Belgium vs Romania Euro 2024 predictions: Red Devils must bounce back

Belgium take on Romania in their second Euro 2024 group stage game, knowing only a win will do.

Belgium vs Romania latest prediction

Nobody expected these two sides to go into this game with their respective outlooks. Belgium took on Slovakia in their Group E opener and were tipped to cruise to victory, setting them up on the way to a long run at Euro 2024. While they are no longer the Golden Generation, Belgium still placed high among the list of favourites. However, they go into their second group game without a point.

Slovakia took the lead in the seventh minute and managed to hold onto their advantage, despite Belgium’s constant attacking. The Red Devils didn’t have luck on their side either, with a couple of goals ruled out by VAR, including one very harsh decision on a handball from Lois Openda in the build up. The defeat ended a run of five-straight European Championship group stage victories for Belgium since losing 2-0 to Italy at Euro 2016.

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Romania, meanwhile, faced Ukraine in their opener and weren’t predicted to leave with even a point as their opponents were backed by some to be Euro 2024 dark horses. But their victory was comfortable, running out 3-0 winners thanks to a strong performance and two goals from outside the box. This all came despite Romania having just 29% possession, the lowest share for a winning team on record in a single match at the European Championship.

It was also Romania’s second-ever win European Championship history, drawing five and losing 10 of their previous 16 matches. So, now, Romania have a chance to all but secure their spot in the last 16 of Euro 2024, in what would be their second appearance in the knockout stages after making the quarter-finals at Euro 2000.

The showdown between Belgium and Romania takes place at 8pm on 22nd June at the RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne.

Much of the blame for Belgium’s defeat to Slovakia fell on the performance of Romelu Lukaku. The Chelsea striker had three shots in total, with two on target, but did not find the net. He also had two goals disallowed by VAR, in a game that pretty much summed up his luck. Surely that cannot happen again.

Belgium latest team news

In Belgium’s defeat to Slovakia, Domenico Tedesco opted to play Yannick Carrasco at left-back and it doesn’t look like a decision he regrets, so we could see that continue against Romania. Apart from that, there weren’t any real surprises in Belgium’s team, with Amadou Onana getting the nod alongside Orel Mangala ahead of Aster Vranckx, Youri Tielemans and Arthur Vermeeren.

Although they did lose, Tedesco may decide to stick, as luck did play its part in Belgium’s defeat.

Romania latest team news

Denis Dragus was the man picked to lead the line for Romania in their Euro 2024 opener against Ukraine, and there’s no reason for Edward Iordanescu to change that. Dragus scored Romania’s final goal of their 3-0 win, though Dennis Man got a lot of the plaudits. Man recorded two assists from the right flank, combining well with Florinel Coman on the other wing.

Belgium vs Romania head-to-head

History does not actually favour Belgium’ here, with Romania having won three of their last five meetings (with one draw and one loss). However, three of those matches occurred between 1993 and 1999.

Belgium vs Romania H2H
Date Score Ground
14/11/2012 Romania 2-1 Belgium Arena Națională
11/11/2011 Belgium 2-1 Romania Stade Maurice Dufrasne
28/04/1999 Romania 1-0 Belgium Stadionul Steaua
22/04/1998 Belgium 1-1 Romania Stade Roi Baudouin
13/10/1993 Romania 2-1 Belgium Stadionul Steaua
14/10/1992 Belgium 1-0 Romania Stade Constant Vanden Stock

How to watch Belgium vs Romania live

This showdown will be live on ITV1 or STV, as well as online on ITVX or STV Player.

Every Euro 2024 game will be shown live on either BBC or ITV, with the two platforms sharing the broadcast rights.