A goal by Youri Tielemans after 73 seconds and a late one for Kevin De Bruyne gave Belgium a 2-0 win over Romania in an incredible game full of chances on Saturday that set up a final round showdown with all four teams in Group E on three points.

It was a Saturday night special played in an astonishing atmosphere in Cologne, with the only mystery being how there were only two goals.

All outcomes are now available on the final night of matches when Belgium play Ukraine and Slovakia play Romania, when four points could be enough to top the group but could also see a team eliminated.

Belgium, still somehow ranked third in the world by FIFA, were unrecognisable from the sluggish side shocked by Slovakia in their opening game, pouring forward and full of energy from the first whistle.

It paid dividends immediately as Romelu Lukaku held up the ball with his back to goal before rolling it into the path of Tielemans, who drilled home a crisp, low shot.

Four minutes later Romania went close with a header by Radu Dragusin that Koen Casteels saved well, but it was a brief respite as Belgium ran the first-half show.

Dodi Lukebakio’s fierce shot was well saved by Florin Nita after a trademark carving run by De Bruyne, while Lukebakio and Amadou Onana both blazed over when free in front of goal.

It seemed only a matter of time before they scored again, but Romania weathered the storm and, knowing how they struck so devastatingly on the counter to beat Ukraine, did not panic.

Their fans certainly stayed behind them, helping create an amazing atmosphere as noise rained down from all four stands.

The waves of Belgian attacks continued though, as Jeremy Doku fizzed a cross inches from Lukebakio’s head, De Bruyne curled one just past a post then had another shot smothered by Nita.

Lukaku thought he had got the second after an hour slotting home confidently from a De Bruyne through ball, only for VAR to rule it out for offside, five days after he had two goals chalked off against Slovakia.

The incredible end-to-end action continued with Dennis Man clean through for Romania only to shoot wastefully straight at Casteels and then, incredibly, it was the Belgian keeper who set up the second goal 10 minutes from time with a Sunday league route one goal.

He launched a goal kick that evaded everyone and the ever-switched on De Bruyne seized on it to tuck the ball home for what could prove a priceless goal should the calculators be needed to split the teams next week.

Belgium vs Romania latest news

• Much-improved Belgium off the mark at Euro 2024

Good night!

22:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Belgium’s win over Romania.

Find our full report below!

Much-improved Belgium off the mark at Euro 2024

21:52 , Jonathan Gorrie

A much-improved Belgium beat Romania 2-0 to get off the mark at Euro 2024.

Read the full story here!

FT: Belgium 2-0 Romania

21:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

A much-improved Belgium side get off the mark at Euro 2024 after goal from Tielemans and De Bruyne.

Belgium 2-0 Romania

21:47 , Jonathan Gorrie

90 mins: Into added time now.

Belgium deserve this.

Belgium 2-0 Romania

21:44 , Jonathan Gorrie

86 mins: Impressive stuff from Belgium.

They haven’t been perfect defensively but some of their attacking play has deserved a better final pass.

Belgium 2-0 Romania

21:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

84 mins: Off the line! Castagne back to keep Ailbec’s effort out.

GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Romania

21:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

79 mins: GOAL! Kevin De Bruyne ‘79

De Bruyne puts Belgium two up, latching onto a goal kick after it evades every Romanian defender!

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

76 mins: All about game management for Belgium now.

A win and they will feel confident about getting through the group. Leave the door open, however, and there’s huge pressure on the Ukraine game.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:26 , Jonathan Gorrie

69 mins: Harsh on Lukaku.

He got a lot of criticism the other night but he’s been excellent here.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:21 , Jonathan Gorrie

64 mins: It’s ruled out! A very tight offside call.

GOAL! Belgium 2-0 Romania | Romelu Lukaku '62

21:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

62 mins: GOAL!

Brilliant ball from De Bruyne frees Lukaku, who finishes with ease.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

61 mins: The Cologne Stadium is absolutely rocking.

The Belgium fans have shown up tonight. For the most part, so has their team.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

58 mins: Lukaku almost connects to De Bruyne’s cross but Dragusin just about gets there.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

56 mins: Romania playing a lot further up the pitch here, particularly when Dragusin carries the ball forward.

Mihala shoots over from range.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

51 mins: There was no chance Belgium could have operated at that pace all game.

Romania are just sensing some now.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

49 mins: Not an ideal start for Belgium in the opening stages here. Romania have started much the stronger.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

21:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Back underway!

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT: Belgium with the lead but they may regret not taking more of their chances!

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

38 mins: Dragus so close to nicking in behind Faes and in front of Casteels but the ‘keeper does well to connect.

Sloppy from the defender!

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:36 , Jonathan Gorrie

34 mins: Interesting to see what happens when Romania get a foothold.

Belgium cannot keep going at this pace and should really have scored more.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:32 , Jonathan Gorrie

30 mins: Belgium are absolutely purring right now.

De Bruyne is so much further forward this time around and Doku is causing havoc whenever he runs at Ratiu.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

22 mins: Doku is causing all sorts of problems and almost walks the ball into the net after fine interplay with Lukaku.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

18 mins: Another slick Belgian move sees Lukebakio get a shot off after De Bruyne’s through ball, though Nita saves well.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

14 mins: A lot more energy from Belgium tonight.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:14 , Jonathan Gorrie

12 mins: Romania cannot get out of their box.

Half chance for Lukaku, who does well to turn his marker but sees his shot blocked.

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

06 mins: Faes floats in a long ball to De Bruyne but the Romania ‘keeper gets there first.

Some start to the game, this!

Belgium 1-0 Romania

20:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

04 mins: Huge chance for Romania!

Dragusin meets an inswinging cross but Casteels tips his header over!

GOAL! Belgium 1-0 Romania | Your Tielemans

20:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

01 mins: GOAL!

Belgium fly out the traps, winning the ball back in midfield through Tielemans.

Lukaku then finds Doku, who looks like he’s taken too much time.

The Man City forward then picks out Lukaku, who lays it back to Tielemans to strike from range!

Belgium 0-0 Romania

20:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

Away we go!

Belgium vs Romania

19:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

The anthems are belting out as we get set for the final Euro 2024 game of the day.

Belgium vs Romania

19:53 , Jonathan Gorrie

We are closing in on kick-off now!

Belgium vs Romania

19:25 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium need their big players to show up tonight

Can Belgium be knocked out of Euro 2024 today?

19:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

Yes, failing to win would see Belgium all but eliminated at the group stage.

Confirmed Romania lineup

18:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Romania XI: Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; Marin, R.Marin, Stanciu, Man, Mihala; Dragus

Subs: Moldovan, Tarnovanu, Rus, Nedelcearu, Ailbec, Cicaldau, Puscas, Hagi, Olaru, Coman, Mogos, Sorescu, Racovitan, Birligea, Sut

Confirmed Belgium lineup

18:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium XI: Casteels; Theate, Faes, Vertonghen, Castagne; Tielemans, De Bruyne, Onana; Lukebakio, Lukaku, Doku

Subs: Kaminski, Sels, Debast, Trossard, Carrasco, Vranckx, De Ketelaere, Mangala, Bakayoko, Openda, Vermeeren, De Cuyper

How it stands in Group E

18:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Group E is wide open.

Romania lead the way on goal difference, having beaten Ukraine first time out.

Ukraine then beat Slovakia - who had conquered Belgium - to drop them into third.

Belgium sit bottom.

Belgium vs Romania

18:29 , Jonathan Gorrie

The party atmospheres continue at Euro 2024!

Romelu Lukaku has two goals ruled out in huge Euro 2024 upset

17:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

Here’s a recap of what happened to Belgium in their shock opening defeat to Slovakia.

Read our full report here!

Youri Tielemans pronounces himself fit for Euro 2024 game as he makes demand of Red Devils

17:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

Youri Tielemans insists Belgium are not panicking and will show their character as they look to bounce back from their shock opening defeat by Slovakia.

Belgium were wasteful in front of goal as they kicked off their quest to win Euro 2024 by losing 1-0 on Monday in Frankfurt.

Read the full story here!

Belgium vs Romania: Latest Euro 2024 odds today

17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

Belgium: 4/9

Romania: 13/2

Draw: 7/2

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).

Belgium vs Romania: Head to head (h2h) history and results

17:07 , Jonathan Gorrie

These teams have only ever met once at a major tournament, a 1-0 win to Belgium at the 1992 World Cup.

Belgium wins: 5

Romania wins: 5

Draws: 2

Belgium vs Romania: Euro 2024 prediction today

17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Confidence is flowing through Romania but Belgium didn’t actually play that badly against Slovakia. With a little bit more luck, they should put their first points on the board here.

Belgium to win, 2-0.

Romania team news vs Belgium today

17:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Romania are still waiting on veteran striker Denis Alibec’s return from injury and are unlikely to tinker with a side which hammered Ukraine to open their tournament.

Belgium team news vs Romania today

17:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

Youri Tielemans came off the bench against Slovakia and will be hoping for greater involvement this time, after confirming he is not carry an issue injury.

“I am ready to play 90 minutes,” said Tielemans. “It was the coach’s choice not to field me from the start against Slovakia.

“I had a groin injury that came back when I was playing at Aston Villa, but now I am 100 per cent fit. I don’t assume that I will be a starter. I am ready to play, just like everyone else.”

How to watch Belgium vs Romania

17:01 , Jonathan Gorrie

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.10pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch the contest live online for free via the ITVX app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action tonight via Standard Sport’s live blog.

Welcome

16:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Belgium’s clash with Romania at Euro 2024.

Kick-off from the Cologne Stadium is at 8pm BST.