Romania secures playoff spot with crushing win over San Marino

Romania’s national team crushed San Marino 7–1 (3–1) on Tuesday evening at the “Ilie Oană” Stadium in Ploiești, in its final match of Group H in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Romania scored through Dante Carlos Rossi (own goal, 13), Ștefan Baiaram (29), Dennis Man (42), Giacomo Valentini (own goal, 57), Ianis Hagi (76), Andrei Rațiu (82), and Louis Munteanu (86 – penalty), while the visitors’ consolation goal was netted by Nicolas Giacopetti (2), CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

The match practically began at 0–1 after San Marino (ranked 210th – last – in the FIFA standings) opened the scoring in minute 2 through Giacopetti, who took advantage of Romania’s defensive slackness.

Romania then took control of the match and created several chances, but Colombo saved shots from Rațiu and Bîrligea (5). Ghiță (6) sent a header over the bar from six meters.

In the 13th minute, Bîrligea crossed and Rossi deflected the ball into his own net to equalize.

After Man (25) hit the side netting, Baiaram (29) scored his first goal for the national team with a low shot under the goalkeeper, assisted by Tănase. Dragomir (38) also came close to his first goal but headed the ball straight at the goalkeeper from Bancu’s perfect cross.

Man (42) made it 3–1 before halftime after being released by Bancu. Zannoni (44) nearly scored an own goal from Rațiu’s cross.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw Romania miss several chances—Bîrligea (48), Tănase (50), Man (50, 55)—but the fourth goal came when Bancu’s shot-cross (57) was deflected into the net by Valentini.

Tănase (62) and Munteanu (72) could not beat Colombo, but Hagi (76) scored easily from Baiaram’s cross. Munteanu (78) shot over, but Rațiu capitalized on Bancu’s run (82).

Petrila earned a penalty after being fouled by Riccardi, and Louis Munteanu (86) closed the scoring.

Romania finished the qualifiers in third place in the group, behind Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but ahead of Cyprus and San Marino. The 12 group winners qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup. The remaining four European slots will be contested by the 12 second-place teams and the highest-ranked Nations League group winners from the 2024–25 edition who have not qualified through the qualifiers.

Romania will find out on Thursday, at the draw, its opponent in the playoff semifinals. Romania reached the playoffs by winning its Nations League group.