MATTEO PASCUCCI / AIPS in SAN MARINO: Romania showed no mercy for Croatia in a sold-out San Marino stadium, achieving a fine start to their UEFA U21 EURO with a 4-1 win.

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The 4,035 yellow-shirted Romanian fans made it seem more like Timosoara than Serravalle and it took their team only two minutes to show their hunger.

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A long throw-in from Tudor Băluță found George Pușcaș who controlled the ball and entered the penalty area for a shot which was blocked on the line after going under Posavec’s legs. Pușcaș was not to be denied in the eighth minute when Filip Benkovic handled a cross. Scottish referee Bobby Madden, after a VAR review, awarded a penalty from which Pușcaș sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

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Three minutes later Romanian star Ianis Hagi doubled the lead, forcing the ball home after a Pușcaș header was blocked by Croatia defenders on the goal line.

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A rollercoaster of emotions built up for the fans as San Marino gained some hopes with a long-range shot from Nikola Vlašić. Romania responded with a left-foot effort from Alexandru Cicâldău in the 36th minute which flew just wide. Then, in the 54th minute, a free kick from Hagi hit the bar.

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Băluță cheered Romania’s fans when he punished a defensive mistake in the 66th minute.

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Player of the match Pușcaș was substituted, to a standing ovation in the 88th minute but there was no relief for Croatia. Substitute Adrian Petre scored a fourth Romanian goal after another VAR review because of a possible offside. Romania had kicked off the tournament in the best way possible; Croatia have a lot of work ahead before facing France back in San Marino.

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