Romania managed to claim a 2-1 victory over Lithuania in Kaunas, though their gameplay was far from impressive. Despite a less than stellar performance, the “Tricolorii” (Romanian national team) maintained their perfect record in the UEFA Nations League, with 12 points after 4 matches. However, the start of the match did not go as planned, with the Lithuanians taking advantage early on. They stunned Romania by scoring in just the 4th minute.
Lithuania Surprises Romania Early On
The match began unfavorably for Romania when Lasickas made a strong run down the left side, sending a cross into the box. The ball struck Rațiu’s hand, and after a review by the referee at the pitchside monitor, a penalty was awarded despite protests from the Romanian players. Kucys stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, giving Lithuania a 1-0 lead.
Răzvan Marin Equalizes
The Romanian team took time to regroup, but eventually found their rhythm. They began to dominate possession and pushed forward, searching for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the 18th minute when Romania was awarded a penalty after a handball incident, similar to their previous match against Cyprus. Răzvan Marin, who had been the hero in that game, stepped up once more and confidently scored, leveling the match at 1-1.
After the goal, Romania continued to control the game, but struggled to create clear chances. Drăguș had a header saved by Gertmonas in the 30th minute, while Slivka missed a decent opportunity for Lithuania, sending the ball over the bar from 10 meters. The teams went into halftime tied at 1-1, with no clear indication that it was a match between the group leader and the bottom team.
A Dull Start to the Second Half
The 15-minute break did little to energize the Romanian side, as the early minutes of the second half mirrored the sluggish pace of the first. Both teams struggled to create significant opportunities, and it seemed like the match could go either way. But then, Romania produced a moment of brilliance that would decide the game.
A Textbook Counter-Attack: Drăgușin-Man-Drăguș
In the 65th minute, Romania turned the game around with a fantastic counter-attack. After Lithuania’s free-kick from 18 meters out was blocked by the wall, Radu Drăgușin seized the opportunity to recover the ball and initiate a swift counter. He carried the ball to midfield before passing to Man, who then advanced and played a precise ball to Drăguș at the edge of the penalty area. Drăguș finished the move with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner, making it 2-1 for Romania and restoring the advantage.
Securing the Win: 3 Points to Stay on Top
The final moments of the match saw Lithuania pushing to equalize, but Romania’s defense held firm. The hosts struggled to break through, with Niță, the Romanian goalkeeper, only facing minor scares. He dealt with a collision in the 78th minute and a well-saved shot from Paulauskas in the 82nd minute, which was later flagged offside.
Despite attempting to extend their lead to 3-1, Romania could not find the net again. The match ended 2-1, allowing the “Tricolorii” to complete their mission by earning three valuable points. With this victory, they took another step closer to winning their group, maintaining their perfect record in the UEFA Nations League.
