The Romanian striker struck after five minutes but a thunderbolt from Mehmet Scholl brought Germany level before the break.

Adrian Ilie skipped past Thomas Linke on the left wing as the German defender lost his footing.

The Valencia striker cut a dangerous low cross into the goalmouth and Viorel Moldovan smashed it into the roof of the net from close range.

The goal stunned the huge German following who had made the short trip across the border into Belgium.

Germany had sensed an early strike themselves when Dan Petrescu's sloppy back-pass, in the first minute, put his keeper under pressure and Romania conceded two corners in quick succession before clearing the danger.

Moldovan, a former Coventry striker, fired over from 25 yards after a pass from Gheorghe Hagi.

It was Hagi who inspired another Romania opening in the 18th minute. The veteran midfielder pulled defenders out of position with a clever right-wing run before he back-heeled the ball to Ilie on the corner of the penalty box.

Ilie crossed to the back post but Moldovan's header flashed over.

The German defence was in disarray again seconds later when Petrescu chased a long pass. Oliver Kahn was quickly off his line to thwart him but the Chelsea player insisted the keeper had handled the ball outside his area.

Referee Kim Milton Nielsen waved play on and the Germans bounced back. Thomas Hassler, playing his 100th international, unleashed a fierce drive, which Gheorghe Popescu blocked with his head.

Bogdan Stelea produced a wonderful one-handed save to keep out a header from Oliver Bierhoff. But the keeper was beaten by a spectacular strike in the 28th minute.

Germany, enjoying their best possession of the game, engineered a move down their right wing, which ended with Mehmet Scholl firing a left-foot shot into the top corner beyond the bewildered Stelea.

Jens Jeremies rifled over from 35 yards but the Romanians thought they should have had a penalty four minutes before half-time.

Hagi passed to Ilie who turned inside the area and went to ground under a challenge by Linke. Again the referee waved play on and later booked Ilie for a dive and Hagi for dissent.

Germany squandered a golden chance to get their noses in front before the break.

Hassler wriggled to the by-line on the left and rolled the ball across into the goalmouth. Bierhoff looked certain to tap it into an empty net but, as the striker waited for the ball, Christian Chivu nipped in to intercept and hoist the ball to safety.