Football: Romania defeats San Marino 7-1 in final match of 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Romania's national team defeated San Marino 7-1 (3-1) on Tuesday evening at the Ilie Oana Stadium in Ploiesti in their final match in Group H of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The scorers for the Tricolours were Dante Carlos Rossi (own goal, 13), Stefan Baiaram (29), Dennis Man (42), Giacomo Valentini (own goal, 57), Ianis Hagi (76), Andrei Ratiu (82) and Louis Munteanu (86, penalty) while the visitors' consolation goal was scored by Nicolas Giacopetti (2).
The match effectively started at 0-1 after San Marino, ranked 210th and last in the FIFA standings, opened the scoring through Nicolas Giacopetti (2), who took advantage of passive defending.
Romania took control of the game and created the first scoring opportunities but Colombo saved shots from Ratiu and Birligea (5). Ghita (6) headed over the bar from six metres.
In the 13th minute, after a cross from Birligea, Rossi deflected the ball into his own net to bring the score level.
After Man (25) hit the side netting, Baiaram (29) scored his first goal for the national team with a low shot under the goalkeeper from a pass by Tanase. Dragomir (38) was also close to his first goal but headed the ball straight at the goalkeeper from Bancu's perfect cross.
Man (42) set the score at half time after being sent through by Bancu. Zannoni (44) came close to an own goal from a Ratiu cross.
In the first ten minutes of the second half the Tricolours missed several chances through Birligea (48), Tanase (50), Man (50, 55) but a goal came from Bancu's shot-cross (57) which was deflected into his own net by Valentini.
Tanase (62) and Munteanu (72) could not beat Colombo but Hagi (76) scored easily from Baiaram's cross. Louis Munteanu (78) shot over the bar yet Ratiu converted Bancu's move (82).
Petrila won a penalty after being fouled by Riccardi and Louis Munteanu (86) closed the scoring.
Romania finished the qualifying campaign third in the group behind Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina followed by Cyprus and San Marino. The winners of the 12 qualifying groups advanced directly to the 2026 World Cup. The remaining four European spots will be contested by the 12 runners up and the highest ranked group winners from the 2024-25 Nations League who did not qualify through the regular qualifiers.
Romania will find out on Thursday at the draw their opponent in the play-off semi-finals for qualification to the 2026 World Cup. Romania reached the play-offs after winning their Nations League group.
Romania - San Marino 7-1 (3-1)
Scorers: Dante Carlos Rossi (own goal, 13), Stefan Baiaram (29), Dennis Man (42), Giacomo Valentini (own goal, 57), Ianis Hagi (76), Andrei Ratiu (82), Louis Munteanu (86, penalty) and Nicolas Giacopetti (2).
Ploiesti, Ilie Oana Stadium
2026 World Cup Qualifiers - Group H
Teams:
Romania: 12 Stefan Tarnovanu - 2 Andrei Ratiu, 5 Virgil Ghita, 15 Lisav Naif Eissat, 11 Nicusor Bancu - 19 Florin Tanase (10 Ianis Hagi, 63), 6 Vladimir Screciu (18 Razvan Marin, 46), 22 Vlad Dragomir (14 Darius Olaru, 46) - 20 Dennis Man (captain; 21 Claudiu Petrila, 74), 9 Daniel Birligea (13 Louis Munteanu, 63), 7 Stefan Baiaram. Coach: Mircea Lucescu.
Unused substitutes: 1 Ionut Radu, 16 Marian Aioani - 3 Bogdan Racovitan, 4 Adrian Rus, 8 Alexandru Chipciu, 17 David Miculescu, 23 Deian Sorescu.
San Marino: 1 Edoardo Colombo - 4 Filippo Fabbri (12 Alessandro Tosi, 63), 14 Giacomo Valentini, 6 Dante Carlos Rossi (2 Giacomo Benvenuti, 46), 11 Alberto Riccardi - 17 Alessandro Golinucci (captain), 23 Matteo Valli Casadei, 22 Marcello Mularoni - 8 Samuel Pancotti (3 Gabriel Capicchioni, 87), 18 Samuele Zannoni - 19 Nicolas Giacopetti (7 Matteo Vitaioli, 75). Coach: Roberto Cevoli.
Unused substitutes: 13 Matteo Zavoli, 16 Mirco De Angelis - 5 Michele Cevoli, 10 Filippo Berardi, 20 Nicko Sensoli, 21 Lorenzo Lazzari.
Referee: Mohammad Al-Emara
Assistant referees: Turkka Valjakka, Mika Lamppu
Fourth official: Peiman Simani (all from Finland)
Video assistant referee: Michael Fabbri
Assistant VAR: Federico La Penna (both from Italy)
UEFA referee observer: Adam Farkas (Hungary)
UEFA delegate: Siim Juks (Estonia)
Yellow cards: Pancotti (41), Giacopetti (41), Riccardi (84), Golinucci (89)
AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Mihai Tenea; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)
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