Although he was substituted out of Switzerland’s first contest against Albania in the 62nd minute, he proved to be the crucial player in this match.
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The draw takes Switzerland to four points and top of the group temporarily.
Embolo met a deep cross from Lichtsteiner in the 68th minute as Switzerland came close, but the youngster’s header just missed the post during a period where Romania were struggling to keep hold of the ball.
Romania had produced a spirited fight in the 1-0 defeat to title favourites France in their first match.
Switzerland levelled the scores in the 57th minute, however, when Admir Mehmedi found the corner of the net with a powerful strike after Romania had failed to deal with a corner from Ricardo Rodriguez.
56′ – GOAL! Romania 1-1 Switzerland. Mehmedi will be a key player to watch as he looks to guide his side to a first place finish in Group A. Switzerland, with the quality that they have in their ranks definitely had the match by the scruff of the neck but that didn’t necessarily translate into chances. Romania leads Switzerland 1-0.
Iordanescu, speaking through a translator at Parc des Princes, says “I don’t defend Alibec”.
Stancu, who scored a penalty against France in the first game, strode forward confidently to fire his side into the lead. Stancu sends Sommer the wrong way from the spot for his second penalty in two matches!
But Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic had turned his back on the action and did not witness Mehmedi’s 57th-minute thunderbolt. Before that they played in June 1994 and Switzerland won the game 1 – 4.
Iordanescu had hoped to see Romania push on and earn just their second win in European Championship history, but, in the end, he was happy to settle for a draw.
Romania, meanwhile, will surely need a win in their match against underdogs Albania if they are to extend their tournament.
Xherdan Shaqiri then put Seferovic in on goal again but his low shot was kept out by the feet of keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu. He managed to get through on goal but not before fouling the Romanian defender.
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The ball bounced kindly for Admir Mehmedi following a corner, and the Bayer Leverkusen winger hammered home the equalizer.
