Belgium 2-0 Romania - Euro 2024 RECAP: Red Devils secure vital win thanks to Tielemans and De Bruyne

Another day of cracking football has been played, but now it's time to say goodbye... for the night.

We were treated to a belting match to finish off the evening. Belgium finally got their Euro 2024 campaign rolling with a hard-fought win over Romania.

Youri Tielemans opened the scoring inside 73 seconds before Kevin de Bruyne sealed the deal with 11 minutes to go.

They didn't have it all their own way, Romania pushed them all the way, but in the end, Belgium did deserve the points.

The result leaves Group E wide open. Romania, Belgium, Ukraine, and Slovakia are each on three points going into the final matchday.

Anyway, I think it's time for me to close this blog down, don't you?

It's been a pleasure to take you through another day of Euros action - it always is.

I'll see you all tomorrow.

What. A. Game.

This tournament has treated us to some cracking fixtures and you can add tonight to that list.

Just look at the statistics. 34 shots in total, 14 on target, 20 fouls, and 14 corners. Action-packed.

I'd say we got the right result in the end. Yes, Romania probed and prodded, but ultimately, Belgium controlled proceedings.

Either way, it was very enjoyable.

Well, Euros history was made tonight.

It's the first time in the competitions history that four teams have all been level on points after two matchday.

That really surprises me, I'm not sure why.

Don't count Romania out just yet!

They may have lost today, but they once again showed that they are in this tournament for the long run.

At the end of the match, their players went over to the fans to thank them, and it's clear to see the supporters are still enjoying life.

Now focus switches to Slovakia.

There is tight, and there is tight.

With their win, Belgium have now moved up into second behind Romania on goals scored.

Ukraine also won yesterday which means every side in the group has won one and lost one.

You can't call it now, it's too tough. Who will get out the group?

You can never keep a good man down.

That phrase certainly rings true with Kevin de Bruyne. he was back to his best today and scored a brilliant goal to boot.

You can watch it here. It's not a typical De Bruyne finish, but he won't care one bit.

A goal of paramount importance for Belgium.

Belgium have arrived at the European Championship.

Questions were rightly asked after their unexpected defeat against Slovakia in their opening match.

Well, they answered all of them today. In the first half, particularly, they played some wonderful football.

Don't count them out of these Euros, they are back on track.

Three points in the column for Belgium!

The Red Devils have put the shock defeat by Slovakia well and truly behind them tonight in Cologne.

Goals from Youri Tielemans and Kevin de Bruyne have done the job, but it was by no means easy.

It means Group E will go to the final day in deadlock. All four teams have three points next to their name.

Still all to play for!

The noise is coming from the Belgium fans now, they know the job is done.

This match has had one of the best atmospheres in the tournament so far, in my opinion.

Just four more minutes of this match.

Can Romelu Lukaku fashion one more opportunity for himself. For his own confidence, I kind of hope so.

What has Romelu Lukaku done to deserve this wretched luck?

The striker does exceptionally well to create space for himself on the right-hand side of the box.

After a couple of stepovers, he drills a shot toward goal but once again Florin Nita denies him.

You have to admire Lukaku's will to keep going.

That is brilliant from Timothy Castagne!

Denis Alibec wrestles with Wout Faes and wins the battle before chipping Koen Casteels.

The ball rolls agonisingly near to the line but Castagne is there to clear it off the line.

So close to a consolation goal.

And there is the evidence of my last post.

Belgium breakaway and Leandro Trossard is in on the left, surely he is going to make it three?

No, he doesn't. Instead, Trossard tries to square it to Romelu Lukaku for a tap-in, but the ball is cleared.

The goal came at the perfect time for Belgium, the game had just started to peter out into a lull.

That has burst it right back open, Romania have to attack all guns blazing now.

The entertainment is back.

Now they do get their second goal!

Kevin de Bruyne races through and slides the ball past Florin Nita and the scenes are celebration are even bigger than the last.

And this one will stand. I must admit, it was tight, but there is no taking this one away.

Surely that will be that.

Another change for Belgium.

Dominic Theate's race is run, Zeno Debast comes on in his place. That means there will be a system change.

Debast makes an impact quickly, he has already given away a foul.

The goalscorer Youri Tielemans' night is run, he is replaced by Orel Mangala.

Yannick Carrasco is also on, replacing Jeremy Doku. The Romania defence will be relieved to see him go.

My sympathy for Romelu Lukaku has just risen to another level.

The offside call has just been shown, and there is no way that should have been chalked off.

I can't believe it, they were level. Maybe this semi-automated system is as problematic as the last.

It's just too literal, not enough subjectivity involved, no benefit of the doubt to the attacker.

This match is just end-to-end, it's scintillating football.

Now Romania force Koen Casteels into a big save on the counter-attack.

Imagine if they level this, the place will erupt.

What does Romelu Lukaku have to do?

Kevin de Bruyne finds him in the striker in the area, he turns brilliantly, but his effort is saved well by Florin Nita.

Lukaku must be so frustrated, nothing is going his way.

Oh dear, oh dear. Romelu Lukaku can't catch a break.

The semi-automated offside system deems Lukaku to have started his run too early. I mean, sit was so, so tight.

That's his third disallowed goal of this tournament. Surely, he will stop celebrating soon.

Belgium get the crucial second goal!

Romelu Lukaku races away and puts this result surely beyond doubt, with a brilliant finish.

Oh wait, is he offside? This is tight...

This stadium is well and truly bouncing.

You can just see that the Romanian fans believe, and that's because their side are still in this match.

The longer they stay within touching distance, the more their confidence will grow.

Every time I look up at the match something big is happening.

Denis Dragus thinks he is in but Jan Vertonghen recovers just in time before he can get a shot away.

Then there is a yellow card Nicusor Bancu. It's all going on!

It's time for Leandro Trossard.

The Arsenal man comes on to replace Dodi Lukebakio, who is on a yellow card.

Remember, Lukebakio will miss the next match due to picking up two yellows.

Kevin de Bruyne really wants this second, doesn't he?

He collects the ball in the area and lets fly of a low drive which Florin Nita is equal to.

It bobbles before the Romania keeper, so wasn't an easy one to take.

Ooof, that's a nasty one...

Jan Vertonghen is down hurt after being caught by Denis Dragus and is down in some pain.

I mean, now I have seen the replay I think it's an accident.

He just caught the defender late.

Ignore my last post, Belgium have just woken up.

After a couple of probes, Kevin de Bruyne has had enough and decides to have a crack.

Jeremy Doku started the move with a lovely flick, and De Bruyne tries to bend the ball into the far corner.

It just whistles past the post. It would have been a stunner.

Belgium haven't got going yet in this second half, Romania are taking the game to them.

The Red Devils just need to calm down proceedings if they are to refind their rhythm.

That's a massive moment for Romania.

Dennis Man is involved again, he races away and he's through on goal, surely he will test the keeper?

He doesn't he takes the ball too wide and fires over the bar - he has to do much better.

A big chance goes begging.

Romania are the team to come out flying this time.

It doesn't result in a goal like Belgium's did in the first period, but Dennis Man does force Koen Casteels into an early save.

Another warning sign.

That break flew by!

We are back underway in Cologne, will we see a fightback from Romania, or will Belgium extend their lead?

We will have to wait and see!

Everyone loves a celebration, right?

Well, with Youri Tielemans strike, every team at the European Championship has now scored a goal.

All supporters have had their moment.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Cologne:

Incredible energy and intent from Belgium for 35 minutes. They will probably feel they were worth more than a one-goal lead. With Lukaku excellent up front, holding the ball and bringing others into the game, and with the craft of De Bruyne and extreme pace out wide they can be destructive.

Romania hung in, with impressive vocal backing from 20,000 fans in the stands, and started to get a little more possession as Belgium’s energy levels dipped and half time approached. That might offer them a little encouragement but Belgium well worth their lead.

With such a quick goal, you'd expect records to tumble.

Youri Tielemans' strike after 73 seconds was Belgium's fastest-ever goal at a major tournament.

In fact, it's the third fastest goal in Euros history. Not bad, eh?

Want to see the goal? Of course, you do!

It really was a fast-paced start, and Belgium made the most of it within two minutes.

The delay from Jeremy Doku, the hold-up play from Romelu Lukaku, and the finish from Youri Tielemans. It was a brilliant goal.

Just listen to the roar, as well.

There goes the whistle, Belgium lead at the break.

The Red Devils got off to a flyer after Touri Tielemans found the back of the net after just 73 seconds.

Chances started flowing for them after that, but they couldn't take them and Romania are still in this.

It's been another cracking game at this European Championship, and it's far from over yet.

A big 45 minutes still to come.

That's a real chance for Andrei Burca, right on the stroke of half-time too.

He has practically a free header from a corner but he heads over. His head is in his hands, he knows that was a good chance.

The board then goes up to show one added minute.

Is that a shot or a pass from Kevin de Bruyne?

He is battling for the ball in the area and seemingly goes for goal, but it's a very tame effort.

Romelu Lukaku was lurking at the back post so maybe it was an intended pass for him?

Who know with De Bruyne...

Denis Dragus has just fired a warning shot at Belgium.

The ball is on its way to Koen Casteels and Wout Faes tries to shepherd it there.

But he gets a sudden shock as Dragus nearly drifts in between him and Casteels to get a touch on the ball.

If he had, it would have caused major problems.

This match is being played at some pace.

At one end Koen Casteels is being forced into a save, and then Belgium race up the other.

Dodi Lukebakio drives into the area with Romania backtracking, but his indecisiveness means he gets caught.

And now Dodi Lukebakio is involved in the wrong way.

He gets booked for a poor challenge and now he has to be cautious, maybe Leandro Trossard will get his chance.

Dodi Lukebakio has come in for Leandro Trossard tonight and he is proving Domenico Tedesco every bit right for the decision.

Yet again he causes problems and goes for goal. His shot takes a deflection and goes for a corner which comes to nothing.

Romelu Lukaku has to do better there.

Kevin de Bruyne does really well to win the ball back on the edge of the area, and he decides to feed Lukaku.

The striker spots Dodi Lukebakio driving into the area and tries to find him, but his pass is very poor.

It stops the attack dead in its tracks.

Jeremy Doku is doing everything right but the finish.

He first wins a corner after being fed by Kevin de Bruyne, and from said corner the ball falls to him, and he forces Florin Nita into a strong save.

You just feel that second goal is coming soon.

Valentin Milhaila is one pacy winger, isn't he?

He beats Youri Tielemans on the wing and shows his raw pace, but eventually comes crashing down outside the area.

That's the first time he has managed to cause Belgium any trouble.

Jeremy Doku really is a livewire tonight.

Jan Vertonghen produces a stunning cross-field pass straight into the path of Doku, who takes on his man and drives into the area.

The Manchester City man tries to lay it back to Romelu Lukaku, but the striker can't sort his feet out and it ends up back with Doku.

The winger once again beats a couple of defenders, but can't get a shot off.

Have Romania woken up?

They are finally throwing some bodies forward in search of an equaliser, and a cross is curled in for Radu Dragusin to meet.

But it's not a very good one, and Dragusin can't even get a good head on it at full stretch.

At least their fans are still enjoying themselves.

Belgium are all over Romania, they are giving them a beating.

Kevin de Bruyne is back to his usual tricks and he slides in Dodi Lukebakio on the right.

The winger cuts inside and tries to find the far corner with a bending effort, but Florin Nita is equal to it.

I've been scanning photos of the opener and there are some crackers.

It was a superb strike and just look at all the angles of the shot I have found. Some stunning pictures, right?

Nicusor Bancu with a huge tackle.

Romelu Lukaku picks up the ball on the turn in the area and has the goal at his mercy.

But from nowhere, Romania's number 11 comes flying to Romania's rescue to take the ball away from him on the slide.

Romania are hanging on here.

Right, I can finally settle down into this.

The game has calmed a little in the past few minutes and fallen into the pattern of Belgium keeping possession.

The Red Devils look so much better today, they must have been given a rocket by Domenico Tedesco after the Slovakia loss.

How is that not a foul?

The referee has been inclined to let things go which is always nice to see.

But he has taken it too far now. Dodi Lukebakio is cleaned out by Marius Marin, but just waves play on.

It's probably so poor of a tackle that it deserves a booking, but nothing given.

This really has been a super start to the game.

Romania have come right back at Belgium and Radu Dragusin forces Koen Casteels into a superb stop.

The Tottenham man rises highest to meet a cross, and his powerful header looks goalbound, but Casteels tips it over the bar.

I haven't caught my breath yet!

Ally McCoist, former Scotland international, on ITV1:

There's coming out the gates, and there's coming out the gates!

What a start for Belgium!

Youri Tielemans finds the back of the net with a fabulous finish after just 75 seconds.

Belgium win the ball high up the pitch, work it to Jeremy Doku who feeds Romelu Lukaku.

The striker holds the ball up, sets up Tielemans, and while falling over he drives the ball beyond Florin Nita.

Now that's how you respond to your critics.

Kevin de Buryne gets his first chance to run at the Romanian defence.

He gives it a good go, I mean, he really is moving, but his pass is not quite as admirable, though.

It really is gorgeous weather in Cologne, the stadium is glowing.

The atmosphere isn't too bad either, both sets of fans are enjoying a sign-song.

The stadium is practically bouncing as Belgium get the ball rolling.

The party is about to start in Cologne!

The stadium is filled with colour as the sun sets - it really is golden hour in more ways than one.

It really is a gorgeous setting made even better as the national anthems begin.

In the battle of the anthems, Belgium take this one (it's a bop).

This is the key match-up, in my eyes anyway.

Romelu Lukaku had an afternoon to forget against Slovakia. Two disallowed goals and a bucketful of missed chances, it wasn't his day.

This evening won't get much easier for the Belgium striker, he is up against Radu Dragusin, the rock at the centre of Romania's defence.

The Tottenham defender impressed against Ukraine, contributing to the clean sheet with some big tackles.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pair battling it out tonight.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Cologne:

Plenty of Belgium supporters in now too including a woman with a hat shaped like a whole wheel of cheese with a cow on top…

Not long to go...

The countdown to kick-off is nearly over, both sets of players are just finishing their warm-ups.

In this heat, surely you don't need one. PE teachers all around the country will be screaming at this blog now I said that.

I used to hate them, but I do recognise their importance.

Matt Barlow, Mail Sport, in Cologne:

Most of the noise here in Cologne is being made by the Romanian supporters. They are here in big numbers and positive mood after starting the campaign with a 3-0 win. The Belgians have not had to travel far.

We are only about 200km from the border but they are a little more anxious after defeat in the opener against Slovakia. Four changes by Domenico Tedesco for this one. Among them a recall for Jan Vertonghen now 37 years old and winning cap number 155.

Let's not sugarcoat it, tonight is a must-win game for Belgium.

many of us were shocked when they were beaten by a lowly-ranked Slovakia, and now they have to make sure they don't fall to the same fate today.

It feels like they always flatter to deceive in big tournaments, but they have to change that today.

If they lose today, they go crashing out of the group stages. Draw, and their hopes of qualification hang by a thread.

Belgium just have to win, don't they?

You're making me blush, James. Very kind of you!

It's true, you are stuck with me for the remainder of the evening, I hope that's ok.

Don't worry, we will be having input from Mail Sport's Matt Barlow as well, so it won't be all me.

Either way, this is an enticing tie, and I for one can not wait to cover it!

That's all from me but don't go anywhere as I'm now handing over the live blog to the ever reliable Harry Bamforth now.

He'll be keeping you up to date throughout the match and providing some interesting excerpts from our reporters at the stadium.

As thousands of fans begin to pack out tonight's stadium, the players have made their way out onto the pitch to get prepared.

Tensions will be high and - with Belgium making four changes in total - you wonder who will be able to hold their nerve in this crucial tie.

Just one change for Eduard Iordanescu's side for this clash as Valentin Mihaila comes into the starting line-up instead of Florinel Coman.

After a 3-0 victory over Ukraine in their opening match, Romania will be hoping to produce more of the same at the Cologne Stadium.

Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin is certainly one to watch after his stellar performance last time out.

Domenico Tedesco has made wholesale changes from the Belgium side that fell to a 1-0 defeat in their opening match.

The likes of Jan Vertonghen, Youri Tielemans, Dodi Lukebakio and Arthur Teatre have all been brought into the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Zeno Debast, Yannick Carrasco, Orel Mangala and Leandro Trossard have all been dropped to the bench.

The Red Devils have arrived ahead of their crucial Group E clash.

Man City star De Bruyne looks laser-focused as he made his way of the team coach in their sleek burgundy tracksuits.

Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard will also be hoping to make an impact for Belgium, who could be knocked out of Euro 2024 tonight.

Belgium found themselves in must-not-lose territory with alarming speed and accuracy. Defeat against Slovakia giving rise to the fear a woeful World Cup might bleed into Euro 2024, and eyes turning to Kevin De Bruyne to solve the problem.

Super Kev will ride to the rescue they hope, but things are seldom straightforward these days for one of the finest players of this century.

He is in good spirits, according to those close to the Belgian camp. This is certainly not Sulky Kev, who grumbled through the tournament in Qatar, where it all fell apart for Roberto Martinez with the ill-fated last stand of a Golden Generation.

Click below to read more...

We're still over an hour and half away from kick-off in Cologne but that doesn't matter to the thousands of fans from both nations.

Supporters from Romania and Belgium have already been spotted enjoying the festivities prior to their crucial group stage clash.

One Belgium fan in particular has taken the 'Red Devils' title quite literally after painting his body and hair in the national team colours.

Romania established themselves as Euro 2024's surprise package after Monday's win over Ukraine, and they will hope to pile more misery on to struggling Group F favourites Belgium when the pair face off on Saturday.

Showing fans they are a team worth keeping an eye on after hammering Ukraine 3-0 in Munich, the Romanians are on the verge of the knockouts and on the hunt for another big scalp in Cologne against an out-of-sorts Belgium side, who were beaten 1-0 by Slovakia in their opening match of the tournament.

Not many people expected the Tricolorii to make it out of a group which consists of Belgium and Ukraine. These sides can field Premier League megastars from Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Click below to read more...

Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's live coverage of today's third and final match, as Belgium and Romania prepare to go toe-to-toe in Group E.

It's a crucial match for Domenico Tedesco's side after their 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their opener, which has left them bottom of the group as it stands.

If they have any hope of qualifying for the last-16, they will need to pick up all three points at the Cologne Stadium this evening.

We'll have team news, updates and more ahead of kick-off... so don't go anywhere!