On a crisp evening in Bucharest, Romania took a crucial step forward in their FIFA World Cup qualifying journey by clinching a commanding 2-0 victory over Cyprus. Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at the National Arena, the Tricolorii extended their unbeaten home run to over two years. The win not only lifted them three points clear of Cyprus but also kept their hopes of making a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 alive.
Drama and VAR Decisions: First Half Fireworks
The match started slowly but heated up quickly with two contentious VAR calls in the first half. Romanian midfielder Florian Tănase narrowly escaped a red card after a studs-up challenge on Ioannis Kosti. Moments later, the tables turned as Tănase was cynically brought down by Cyprus goalkeeper Joel Mall in a tackle that surprisingly went unpunished.
This tension only fired up the hosts, and just before halftime, a sublime ball over the top found Tănase, who calmly slotted the ball past Mall to make it 1-0. Romania struck again almost immediately, with Dennis Man completing a slick one-two with Denis Drăguș before firing home a second.
A Tame Second Half: Business Handled Early
The second half lacked the fireworks of the first, but Romania remained in control. The Cypriots struggled to create clear chances as Romania’s disciplined midfield and defense neutralized their threats. The best opportunity of the half came with 15 minutes left on the clock when Denis Alibec attempted an audacious bicycle kick, only to mistime his effort.
Though Romania couldn’t add to their tally, the result was enough to keep them level on points with Austria in Group H, albeit having played one game more. Cyprus still has a chance to bounce back with a game in hand.
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Final Whistle: Romania Eyes Bigger Goals
Romania’s win over Cyprus wasn’t just about three points; it was a statement of intent. As they push to break their 27-year World Cup absence, Kenya and other rising football nations can look to their resurgence as a roadmap. Stay tuned as Group H heats up, and don’t forget to stay in the game with Bangbet.
