Spain quickly recovers and mounts a comeback against Romania within two minutes, aiming to secure a position in the quarterfinals.
The Grit in Spain's Game: Spain's U-21 team demonstrated their determination once again, ticking off another epic comeback victory – this time against Romania in the U-21 Euro match. Trailing for 80 minutes, they turned the tables in just two, clinching the game 2-1. Santi Denia's troops were stuck rowing against the current, resisting, recovering from missed chances, and never waning their belief in victory. It seems 'La Rojita' thrives on dramatic moments.
Spain Struggles to Find Their Footing
The Spanish team didn't exactly start with a bang, as Romania unambiguously seized the initiative from the match's beginning. Deep-seated at the back and capitalizing on any intentional or unintentional fouls to launch long balls to the attack zone. Louis Munteanu pounced on one opportunity, launching a thunderous shot into the top corner in the 3rd minute, securing Romania's 0-1 lead.
'La Rojita' then found themselves pushing against the current for the entire first half. However, Pablo Torre gradually began feeling at ease and took charge of distributing the game, primarily via the right wing. Despite their dominance, Spain repeatedly missed opportunities, with Diego Lopez and Pubill letting two clear-cut chances slip away.
Just as Spain started gaining ground, an equalizer opportunity arrived. Following a VAR review confirming a clear foul by Ilie on Tarrega, the referee signaled the maximum penalty. Mateo Juseph took the kick but faltered, sending it flying wide. Though they were stymied, Spain never wavered, but Romania still didn't appear overly bothered in the first half.
A Red Card and the Winning Trio
In the second half, Roberto Fernandez and Moro replaced Pablo Torre and Pubill. The team showcased a newfound energy, albeit temporarily. Sava was forced to make a save on Tarrega's shot after a corner in the 51st minute. Exchanges of blows were constant, with Spain occasionally pressing but failing to suffocate Romania completely. Romania brought in another goalpost miss in the 61st minute, thanks to Perianu's twin opportunities. Denia's team responded by growing increasingly dangerous, focusing on launching crosses from the outside that would crowd Pancu's squad. Moro's shot served as a warning when it struck the crossbar after Sava's astonishing save.
As Spain threatened to depart empty-handed, Blanuta committed a cruel foul on Mosquera without the ball, earning himself a direct red card. Just two minutes later, Mikel Jaureguizar unleashed an unstoppable strike from outside the penalty area – one that Sava had denied repeatedly. The sweetness of success came with a cherry on top in the 87th minute, as Roberto dove to push a cross from Moro into the back of the net.
Despite conceding a late goal, Spain held on to a 1-2 lead until the final whistle, securing another dramatic victory for Santi Denia's side. With a perfect record, Spain could clinch a spot in the quarter-finals if Slovakia fails to beat Italy tomorrow.
Additional Insights
- Key Moments: Romania took the early lead in the 4th minute, followed by a missed penalty and an unforgettable comeback in the 85th and 88th minutes. A significant turning point was Blanuta's red card in the 83rd minute.
- Statistics: Spain dominated possession but struggled to break through Romania's defense until the late stages. Javi Guerra was named the Player of the Match. This victory marked Spain's second consecutive win in the group stage.
- The average possession during the match was dominant for Spain, but converting that dominance into goals proved challenging due to Romania's resilient defense.
- Despite the sustained pressure, the Spanish team managed to find their footing in the second half, capitalizing on a red card and scoring two late goals to win the game, repeating their propensity for dramatic victories – much like their U-21 football team.
