Romania struggled for 87 minutes against Lithuania, a national team ranked 135th in the FIFA rankings. The entrances of Ianis Hagi and Alex Mitriță were needed for the tricolors to put an end to the taunts the opponents subjected them to and to score the 2nd and 3rd goals.
Răzvan Marin converted the penalty taken by Ianis Hagi in the match against Lithuania. Photo by Inquam Photos
Ianis Hagi took the penalty from which Romania made it 2-1 (through Răzvan Marin, in the 87th minute), and Mitriță brought peace in the minutes of extra time, scoring for 3-1. The Scottish press noted the Rangers midfielder’s contribution in the Nations League match and devoted a large article to him, putting pressure on coach Philippe Clement, who sent the Romanian footballer to the second team.
The Daily Record concluded that Ianis has shown Gers supporters that he can become a regular in the Scottish squad. “Ianis Hagi showed Rangers fans exactly what they are missing after he played a key role in Romania’s 3-1 win over Lithuania.
Crucial penalty taken by Ianis Hagi
Mircea Lucescu’s men, with just three minutes to go in Monday night’s game, looked like they would have to settle for a point against the Lithuanians. That is until the “blue lights” midfielder, Hagi, – who was excluded from Rangers’ first team camp – appeared from the bench and scored a crucial penalty.
The 25-year-old received the ball on the right before heading towards the penalty area where he was brought down by Lithuania right-back Justas Lasickas. The penalty was not immediately awarded but, following a VAR review, the hosts were awarded a penalty which was converted by Răzvan Marin, before Alexandru Mitriță scored a third goal during the minutes of extra time.
Hagi, sent to Rangers’ second team
After being deemed by Philippe Clement to be too much for his playing demands, Hagi kept fit by training with Rangers’ second team, for whom he also played in pre-season. The player was expected to leave during the summer transfer window but stayed at the club beyond the deadline despite interest from clubs in his homeland.
The Belgian coach Clement excluded the Romanian international from the “Gers” squad for the Europa League, and Hagi he has not appeared in a competitive match for the club from August 2023 after spending all of last season on loan at Alaves in La Liga. Hagi is still contracted with the blues until 2026″noted the Scottish publication Daily Record.
