Romania didn't manage to hold on to their one goal advantage over Albania and was equalised in the final moments of the game from a free kick.
The Romanians started the match very determined. The away side didn't even manage to take a breath because Marica hit the post from 6 meters after Rat's cross was poorly handled by Beqaj. Only 15 seconds had past and already the fans were starting to remember the 6-1 victory from three years ago.
Sterile domination
The preliminaries started wildly. For 15 minutes the Albanians were held in their one half but we didn't manage to convert just one of our chances.
Torje played really well on his first match for the national team. He fought, he was pushed forward by Contra. Florescu and Cociş were masters in the middle, but the Albanians fought back hard. Neither of them is Mutu. It was clear, we wouldn't have an easy match! Marica and Nico felt this.
Beqaj was flying in the goal
First sign of weakness! Contra is starting to show his age in the 16th minute, he gives away a ball but Agolli didn't take advantage. The Mexican waves in the crowd were pushing our players in the attack. Deac recovered a ball in the 23rd minute and shot from inside the goal. Everybody saw the ball go in, but Beqaj wouldn't give in and pulled a magnificent save. "At least win from a penalty" was Gazeta's yesterday headline but the Austrian referee didin't think so, ignoring a hand ball in the Albanian penalty area. At half time it was 0-0!
"Demisia! Demisia!"
The second half started in the same manner as the first. Rat pulled another cross in the area and Marica scores! No good! It's offside! Cociş shot poorly from inside the area but the Albanian defenders managed to clear the ball just as it was going to cross the goal line. Then came the 80th minute! Steaua's top goalscorer