The Romanian national football team put on a stellar performance against San Marino, securing a commanding 5-1 victory in the second stage of Group H for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on March 24, 2025. This win came after a disappointing start in their qualifying campaign, where the team lost to Bosnia on March 21. The team's resurgence was marked by an early goal from Michele Cevoli, who inadvertently scored an own goal in the 6th minute, setting the tone for a dominant match.
Prior to the game, Mircea Lucescu, the head coach of Romania, had faced scrutiny and criticism but remained steadfast in his commitment to the team. Following the win, he expressed his frustration with the media's portrayal of the team's performance, saying he might leave the coaching role if the criticism continued. "I can leave at any moment. I've come to help, and if people don't understand that this team needs to evolve..." Lucescu said, demonstrating his resolve to guide the national team through its transition.
The match saw Romania's Mihai Popescu shine, scoring his first goal for the national team in the 44th minute, extending Romania's lead to 2-0 just before halftime. The team's continued pressure resulted in additional goals from Răzvan Marin and Ianis Hagi, both netting penalties in the second half, with Marin scoring in the 55th minute and Hagi in the 76th minute. Denis Alibec capped off the scoring with a goal in the dying minutes of the match, securing the 5-1 victory.
San Marino managed to grab a consolation goal in the 66th minute from Zannoni but it did little to dampen the jubilation among the Romanian players and their supporters. Hagi was quick to note the team's brief lapse in concentration during the match, saying, "5-10 minutes, the team fell apart! It was normal for us to argue on the field. We were not focused but managed to rectify it and score more goals." Hagi’s remarks shed light on the dynamics within the team and their commitment to supporting each other despite the pressures of international competition.
The match also marked notable debuts for three players, with Denis Ciobotariu, Vlad Dragomir, and Dennis Politic all receiving their first caps for Romania. Their introduction reflects Lucescu’s approach to blending experienced players with fresh talent, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation for the future.
As the team stands in second place in Group H with three points, behind Bosnia, who have six points, the stakes for the remaining qualifiers are becoming higher. Only the top team from the group will qualify directly for the World Cup in 2026, a fact not lost on Lucescu and his players. The need for consistency and improvement will be crucial in the upcoming matches against tougher opponents.
In terms of leadership, Lucescu's experience will be key as the team navigates through these challenging waters. His comments during a post-match press conference highlighted the need for accountability and discipline within the squad: "I’m not angry with Mihai Popescu; I just explained to him that an individual mistake cost us. If I cannot speak to the players at my age, who can?" His candid approach and strong convictions bring a sense of authority to his position as a coach, reminding everyone involved that growth requires discipline and focus.
As the qualifiers progress, fans of the Romanian national team will be hoping to see more performances like this one against San Marino, which showcases the potential of the team moving forward. The blend of young talent and experienced guidance suggests possibilities for a brighter future, as they look to secure their spot in the upcoming World Cup.
The road ahead will not be easy, with more matches scheduled that will test the resilience and skill of the players. With Bosnia currently leading the group and not playing until later on, Romania will need to capitalize on their form and refine their strategy ahead of their next adversary, Austria, set to kick off in June. The stakes are high, and the team must stay focused on their goals as they pursue a place in the global tournament.
