Finland U21 – Romania U21 2-0. Qualifying for Euro 2027 is becoming a dream

The goals were scored by Ruoppi, in the 23rd minute, and Siltanen, in the 73rd minute, from the penalty spot, after a penalty that was easily awarded.

Costin Curelea's “tricolors”, dominated by the Finns the whole match!

In Finland, at the Veritas Stadion in Turku, Romania U21 started the game in attack, and in the first 10 minutes they settled in the opposing half of the field. These were the good minutes played by the “tricolors” of Costin Curelea.

In the 10th minute, Boțogan was close to opening the scoring, but hit the crossbar after being found in an ideal position in the box. Afterwards, Curelea's national team no longer mattered in the attack.

The Finns started to attack, and Tudose avoided opening the scoring in the 20th minute, after a very good intervention in the box. The defense of the “tricolors” lasted only 3 minutes: Naamo broke down the left flank, crossed into the box and Ruoppi, unmarked, scored with a simple execution. After opening the scoring, the Finns settled in Romania's half of the field.

Siltanen registered the ninth big chance in the 45th minute: following a foul by Matteo Duțu on the edge of the box, an obvious elbow to the face of an opponent, the Finns were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Siltanen hit the crossbar from the resulting set piece.

In the second half, Curelea's students mattered even less in attack. The Finns had possession, they were much more advanced, but they didn't register big chances either.

However, they struck after a controversial penalty: Liimata fell in the box during a duel with Vulturar, and the referee awarded a foul, although there was no contact between the two. There was no VAR in the game in Finland, so the decision could not be contested. Siltanen scored from 11 meters, and until the end, the Finns controlled the game.

Romania U21 thus fell to the 3rd place in the qualification group for the 2027 European Championship. Only the first place qualifies directly.

FINAL » Finland U21 – Romania U21 2-0

• They scored: Ruoppi 23', Siltanen 73'

• Min. 74: Immediately after the goal, Costin Curelea made three changes: Jălade, Burnete and Szimionaș entered. Cristi Mihai, Rareș Pop and Vulturar are out.

• Min. 73: Penalty for Finland, easily awarded by the match referee. Siltanen converted from the point with lime.

• Min. 70: Romania recorded two shots on goal. Still, Costin Curelea did not make any changes, and his team started to get out of the pressure of the Finns

• Min. 55: The Finns dominate the second half. Curelea's “tricolors” did not register a single shot on goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

• The second half has begun! The Finns have a dangerous chance and were close to 2-0 in the first seconds of the second act.

• Min. 45: Matteo Duțu received the yellow card after elbowing an opponent in the face. The Finns benefited from a free kick from the edge of Romania's box. Siltanen executed and hit the crossbar of Lefter's goal.

• Min. 35: After Costin Curelea's national team started in attack, now the “tricolors” are crowded by the Finns in their own box

• Min. 23: The Finns score after a Naamo cross from the left flank. Ruoppi was found in the center of the box, unmarked, and managed to open the scoring.

• Min. 20: Tudose deflects a dangerous ball from the Finns and the danger is cleared

• Min. 10: Boțogan hits the bar in the first important action at the goal of the Finns. He missed from the ideal position after a series of excellent passes by the small “tricolors”.

• Game start! Romania started an attack, Curelea's students settling in the hosts' half

Finland U21 – Romania U21, starting teams:

Finland U21: Jantunen – Ylitolva, Lotjonen, Miettinen, Naamo – Siltanen, Hyrylainen – Ruoppi, Talvitie, Soderback – Liimatta
reserves: Piispa, Puukko, Mentu, Helen, Pippola, Vaisto, Kujasalo, Moller, Laine
coach: Mika Lehkosuo

Romania U21: Lefter – Strata, M. Duțu, M. Tudose, Sălceanu – R. Pop, C. Mihai, Vulturar, Boțogan, Ciubotaru – Trică
reserves: Rafăilă, Țuțu, Burnete, D. Pop, D. Matei, Jalade, El Sawy, Szimionaș, Biliboc
coach: Costin Belt

• Alexandru Musi felt pain in the last training of the “tricolors” and, in order not to risk a more serious injury, he will be taken care of in today's game and is not in the squad.