Romania vs Switzerland: Romania's Undefeated Streak vs Switzerland's Quest for Leadership

Romania was undefeated in her EURO qualification, which included nine games, and led to first place in group one. Its crucial victory over Israel finally determined its direct entry into Germany. Goals from Hagi and Puscas, despite trailing from 2nd minute, assured them three points, which is an achievement after a lack of participation in the previous majors’ events in the international arena.

On the contrary, as a recurrent participant in significant championships, Switzerland joined the group as favourites. But, a draw with Kosovo implies they will have to work extra hard to snatch the leadership position. In the qualifiers, for example, Switzerland had a record similar to that of Romania but with fewer wins. Hence, they go into this deciding battle looking for the decisive victory that will give them a first position on the table and thus a better position in the following championship playoff game.

Let’s take a look at today’s match highlights:

First-half begins!!!

• In the 1st minute, A foul by Marius Marin of Romania enabled Noah Okafor in Switzerland’s forward lines to get a free kick in Romania’s half. He gets a yellow card from Marius Marin.
• In the 7th minute, the Swiss Ruben Vargas had a header missed the left goal post, which Ulises Garcia crossed. Thus, Switzerland makes a corner that Nicusor Bancu scores. Michel Aebisch of Switzerland commits a foul, giving Denis Alibec of Romania a free kick in the defensive half.
• In the 9th minute, the referee blows his whistle again for another foul by Marius Marin of Romania, and Ulisses Garcia of Swiss wins on a free kick in the attacking end.
• In the 11th minute, Nicusor Bancu (Romania) committed a foul, leading to a free kick for Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland) on the right wing.
• In the 12th minute, Nico Elvedi (Switzerland) missed the target with a header from the center of the box, assisted by Xherdan Shaqiri with a cross following a set-piece situation.
• In the 16th minute, Denis Alibec (Romania) is penalized for a foul.
• In the 17th minute, Olimpiu Morutan (Romania) attempts a left-footed shot from a challenging angle on the right, but it goes wide to the left. Florinel Coman provides the cross.
• Noah Okafor (Switzerland) has his left-footed shot from outside the box saved in the bottom left corner, assisted by Granit Xhaka.
• In the 19th minute, Alexandru Cicâldau (Romania) takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, saved in the bottom right corner.
• Nicolae Stanciu (Romania) has his right-footed shot from outside the box blocked, assisted by Denis Alibec.
• In the 22nd minute, Denis Alibec (Romania) commits a foul.
• Michel Aebischer (Switzerland), free kick, half defense.
• In the 30th Minute, Andrei Ratiu of Romania gets a free kick in the defensive half.
• A foul against Rubén Vargas (Switzerland).
• In the 32nd minute, a free kick is awarded to Nicusor Bancu (Romania) on the left flank.
• A foul by Granit Xhaka (Switzerland).
• In the 33rd minute, a direct free-kick in favor of Nicolae Stanciu (Romania), who shoots the ball off the mark from outside the box using his foot’s right side.
• In the 37th minute, a Romanian player named Denis Alibec gets a free ball from the defense zone.
• Switzerland’s Nico Elvedi is cautioned for a foul.
• In the 39th minute, the attempts by Florinel Coman for Romania are saved.
• Nicusor Bancu assists Alexandru Cicâldau (Romania), who shoots with his right foot from outside the box, a central save.
• In the 41st minute, Marius Marin gets in the path of Andrei Ratiu's (Romania) right-footed shot from outside the box.
• In the 45' + 1' minute, halftime ends with a tie between Romania and Switzerland.

Second-half begins!!

• In the 47th minute, Olimpiu Morutan fouls from Romania while Ulisses Garcia of Switzerland wins a free kick in the defensive half. Morutan is, therefore, booked for a cautioning yellow card.
• In the 49th minute, it’s a Goal! Romania scores one and leads Switzerland by one goal. Assisted by Olimpiu Morutan with a header, Denis Alibec (Romania) makes a one-touch finish into the opponent’s net using his left foot.
• In the 51st minute, Denis Alibec fouls for Romania, leading to a free-kick for Switzerland in the defensive half.
• In the 52nd minute, a free-kick is awarded to Radu Dragusin (Romania), with Ruben Vargas (Switzerland) penalized.
• Ruben Vargas, Switzerland, is given a penalty kick.
• Switzerland scores against Rubén Vargas.
• Noah Okafor commits the foul for Switzerland.
• In the 53rd minute, there was a yellow card for a bad foul against Granit Xhaka (Switzerland).
• In the 57th minute, a foul by Dan Ndoye of Switzerland.
• In the 56th minute, from out of the box, taking a right-footed shot from Switzerland with an aim at the lower-right corner, Noah Okafor saves it. Michel Aebischerears an assist by passing through the ball.
• In the 59th minute, Horatiu Moldovan concedes a corner against Switzerland.
• In the 60th minute, from the right side of the box, Ruben Vargas from Switzerland takes a right-footed shot saved in the middle of the goal. Noah Okafor provides the assist.
• Horatiu Moldovan awarded another corner for Switzerland.
• In the 61st minute, Switzerland makes a triple substitution: We substitute Xherdan Shaqiri with Renato Steffen, Zeki Amdouni instead of Noah Okafor, and Filip Ugrinic takes Ulisses Garcia’s position.
• In the 62nd minute, a free kick is awarded to Nicolae Stanciu from Romania in the defensive half.
• A foul was committed by Filip Ugrinic (Switzerland).
• In the 63rd minute, Romania substituted with Razvan Marin for Alexander Cicaldave.
• In the 64th minute, Morutan is replaced by Ianis Hagi for another substitution in Romania.
• The Swiss player Michel Aebischer’s right-footed shot taken in the center of the box is blocked.
• In the 68th minute, From the center of the box, Renato Steffen swings closely towards the right right-footed shot of the Swiss. Dan Ndoye provides the assist.
• In the 70th minute, Burca conceded a corner for Switzerland’s gain.
• Dan Ndoye of Switzerland must head into the six-yard box on the right-hand side. Here, Rubén Vargas gives an assist with a cross after a corner.
• In the 71st minute, in the game of Romania, a change is made as Denis Dragus replaces Florinel Coman.
• In the 79th minute, Romania’s Nicolae Stanciu makes a foul.
• In the 80th minute, a substitution from Switzerland is made, and Andi Zeqiri replaces Ruben Vargas.
• The Romanian’s defender committed a foul – Denis Dragus.
• In the 81st minute, fouled by Nico Elvedi of Switzerland.
• In the 82nd minute, a change is made by Romania by sending in Darius Olaru for Nicolae Stanciu.
• In the 83rd minute, One of these fouls was committed by Radu Dragusin of Romania.
• Switzerland does a substitution, sending off Michel Aebischer and bringing in Remo Freuler.
• In the 84th minute, a free kick was awarded to Denis Dragus (Romania) in the defending half.
• A foul is committed by Manuel Akanji (Switzerland).
• In the 87th minute, Filip Ugrinic's (Switzerland) left-footed strike wide right.
• In the 90th minute, there was a foul by a Swiss player called Filip Ugranic.
• However, the game was delayed because Nicusor Bancu got injured in Romania.
• In the 90' + 1' minute, the Romanian player, Ianis Hagi.
• Romania’s Ianis Hagi has been booked.
• In the 90' + 2' minute, a yellow card is shown to Manuel Akanji of Switzerland.
• In the 90' + 4' minute, a foul by Nicusor Bancu from Romania.
• Nicuşor Bancu of Romania receives a yellow card for a foul play.
• In the 90' + 6' minute, for his part, the Swiss player, Filip Ugrinic, shoots from outside the box using the left foot into the bottom left corner.
• Romania 1 – Switzerland 0 (second half).