The Netherlands triumphed over Romania with a decisive 3-0 victory in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday, securing their place in the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen were the heroes of the match, with Gakpo notching his third goal of the tournament and Malen netting two goals late in the match to seal the win.
A Commanding Performance
Despite coming off a disappointing 3-2 loss to Austria in their previous match, the Dutch team showed resilience and a renewed focus. Romania controlled the tempo in the first fifteen minutes, but the Netherlands quickly found their rhythm and maintained two-thirds of possession for the remainder of the game. The Netherlands recorded almost five times more attempts on goal than Romania, amassing a total of 24 shots.
Virgil van Dijk, almost added to the scoreboard when his powerful header struck the post, was unequivocal in his pride for the team's performance. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," van Dijk commented. "We could have scored a lot more. After a turbulent week, where a lot was said, we had to show something and we did that."
Late Double from Malen
The match remained competitive until the final minutes when Donyell Malen broke through with two late goals. In the 83rd minute, Gakpo set up Malen for his first goal, demonstrating excellent teamwork and precision. Malen's second goal came in stoppage time, effectively securing the win and sending a clear message to future opponents.
Reflecting on the team's improved performance, head coach Ronald Koeman remarked, "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. The team realised that the last game was really bad in all aspects and so they have given out a strong message. We played well in the whole game, except for the first 10 minutes when there was a lot of pressure."
Praise for Xavi Simons
One standout performer in the match was Xavi Simons, who received praise from both teammates and coaches for his aggressive and forward-driving play. "I wasn't scared they'd equalize because we defended so well. I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too; he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive," Koeman noted.
The Dutch side's victory provides a morale boost and is seen as a step in the right direction after their recent struggles. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football," Gakpo stated. "Of course, we could do better but a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction. We felt we were in control even though they were a dangerous opponent."
Looking Ahead to the Quarterfinals
The Netherlands will face either Austria or Turkey in their quarter-final clash set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. This matchup will be crucial as the team hopes to build on their momentum. With their current form, the Netherlands has shown they can be a formidable opponent on any given day.
With the confidence gained from this victory and the tactical adjustments made by Koeman, the Dutch squad appears ready to take on the challenges ahead. Fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if the Netherlands can continue their march towards the Euro finals.