Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Saturday, 06 June 2026, 21:54 / Updated on Saturday, 06 June 2026 22:01
Romania and Wales met at the “Steaua” stadiumfrom Ghencea, in the second match of the national team with Gheorghe Hagi on the bench. At halftime, the score remained 0-0, but the “tricolors” were deprived of a perfectly valid goal, after a deplorable decision by the referees.
The moment that sparked the protests came in the 25th minute. An excellent phase by Romania, started right from goalkeeper Otto Hindrich, ended with a classy execution by Louis Munteanu.
The forward received a very good pass from Darius Olaru, escaped alone towards the Welsh goal and finished spectacularly with a shot into the net, with no chance for the goalkeeper. However, the Romanians' joy was short-lived. Assistant Alf Olav Rossland raised the flag for suspected offside and the goal was disallowed.
PHOTO. The replays show clearly: Louis Munteanu was in a legal position
However, the televised images proved that the decision was wrong. At the time of the pass sent by Olaru, Louis Munteanu was on the same line as the last defender of Wales, being held in play by the defender on the left side of the image.
Moreover, from the wide shots of the phase, it can be seen that the Romanian attacker left his own half in excellent timing, taking advantage of the space left by the opposing defense. Unfortunately for the national team, there is no VAR system in this friendly match, so the brigade's error could not be corrected, and the table remained unchanged.
For Louis Munteanu, it would have been one of the most spectacular goals scored in the shirt of the first representative team, after an impeccably constructed action and finished in cold blood in front of the goal.
