Romania completed their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign in style as they thrashed nine-man Albania to secure their place at the top of Group G.
After taking a first-half lead through Nicolae Dica, Romania scored five goals in a devastating 20-minute spell in the second half.
Gabriel Tamas put them 2-0 up before Debatik Curri was dismissed for a second-booking and Daniel Niculae put Romania in control before Edmond Kapllani pulled one back for Albania.
Nicolae then added a second before Ciprian Marica slotted away a penalty and, when Nevil Dede was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Marica, Dica scored his second from the spot to complete the rout.
Romania started well and Dica's curling free-kick from 25 yards was comfortably dealt with by Arjan Beqaj.
The pressure finally told on 22 minutes when Razvan Cocis swung in a fine cross from the right and Dica finished well from close range.
Albania almost equalised at the start of the second half when Edmond Kapllani crossed for Erjon Bogdani, but his shot from close range was superbly saved by Bogdan Lobont.
Romania took advantage shortly after when Tamas drilled a low free-kick from 30 yards that went past a host of bodies on its way into the bottom right-hand corner.
It got worse for Albania as Curri saw a second yellow for a foul on Marica and before the visitors could even react Dica chipped towards the far post where Niculae was unmarked and finished high into the roof of the next.
Almost straight from the restart Albania gave themselves a glimmer of hope when Altin Haxhi played the ball into substitute Kapllani and he turned his marker before finishing well.
However, Romania extinguished that hope in ruthless fashion when Cocis broke down the right and laid the ball across for Niculae to tap home.
With 20 minutes remaining, Dede brought down Razvan Rat and Ciprian Marica sent Beqaj the wrong way to make it 5-1.
Romania were running riot and less than a minute later Dede cynically fouled Marica and was shown a second yellow card.
This time Dica stepped up and tucked the penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.
Late on substitute Gheorghe Bucur hit the post as Romania celebrated their place in Austria and Switzerland in comprehensive fashion.
Teams:
Romania Lobont, Ogararu, Tamas (Constantin 78), Goian, Rat, Florentin Petre (Bucur 65), Margaritescu, Cocis, Niculae, Marica (Mazilu 73), Dica.
Subs Not Used: Coman, Ovidiu Petre, Marin, Trica.
Booked: Marica.
Goals: Dica 22, Tamas 53, Niculae 64, 66, Marica 71 pen,
Dica 73 pen.
Albania Beqaj, Curri, Dede, Vangeli (Kapllani 40), Lila, Haxhi, Lala, Bulku, Duro (Hyka 78), Skela, Bogdani (Bakaj 82).
Subs Not Used: Hidi, Rrustemi, Bushi, Salihi.
Sent Off: Curri (61), Dede (71).
Booked: Curri, Vangeli, Dede.
Goals: Kapllani 65.
Att: 25,000
Ref: Edo Trivkovic (Croatia).
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