Thirty years ago, when they could claim briefly to be among the world’s best teams, Romania captured hearts with their eye for the spectacular. It glinted again to devastating effect in their return to major tournament football and, even if this side cannot compare technically to the class of 1994, a performance of genuine quality suggested the modern breed can create their own legends.
Ukraine did not know what had hit them. They ran into a brick wall for nearly half an hour before Nicolae Stanciu, with a demonstration of stupendous technique, transformed the picture. It was a goal Gheorghe Hagi, who had addressed their horde of yellow-clad fans via the giant screen before kick-off, would have gladly called his own.
