Ukraine v Romania: Stanciu stunner kickstarts Munich rout at Euro 2024

What was expected to be a tight encounter between two well-matched sides proved to be anything but as Romania swept Ukraine aside 3-0 with a vibrant display in Munich on Monday afternoon.

Sergei Rebrov's Ukraine team had been tipped by some for a good run at Euro 2024, yet on this evidence it is the Romanians who could be a team to fear.

Nicolae Stanciu, who plays his football in Saudi Arabia with Damac, put Romania ahead with a spectacular long-range strike in the first half before two quick-fire goals from Razvan Marin and Denis Dragus early in the second half finished the job.

It was Romania's first win at a major tournament since a 3-2 triumph over England at Euro 2000 and the players celebrated wildly in front of their army of yellow-clad fans after the final whistle.

The result has Edward Iordanescu's team in good shape for a spot in the last 16, while with the four best third-placed teams also going through, Ukraine are not without hope.

They will have to improve massively on this performance, however, and might need something from both of their remaining games, against Slovakia on Friday and Belgium a week on Wednesday.

“Everyone apologised,” Rebrov said. "The players are feeling that they didn’t do enough. Because before the game we told them here we are representing the big, strong country which is fighting more than two years for our freedom.

“What I am feeling, what the players are feeling, that today we didn’t do good enough. That’s why they apologised. Now we have to shut our mouths and prepare very serious for the next game to show the other Ukraine.”