The Netherlands cruised to a 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday, marking their first advancement to the Euro quarterfinals since 2008. The win was orchestrated by standout performances from Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen, who scored pivotal goals to secure the triumph.
A Commanding Performance
Entering the match with heavy expectations, the Netherlands showed resilience and tactical superiority after their disappointing 3-2 loss to Austria. Romania, for a brief period, managed to control the tempo, particularly in the first quarter of an hour. However, the Dutch side soon asserted their dominance, maintaining two-thirds of possession throughout the game and recording almost five times more attempts on goal than their opponents, finishing with a staggering 24 shots.
Virgil van Dijk, demonstrating his defensive prowess, nearly added his name to the scoresheet when his header struck the post. Reflecting on the match, van Dijk said, "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much."
Goals Galore: Gakpo and Malen Shine
Cody Gakpo continued his prolific scoring form, netting his third goal of the tournament and setting the stage for the Netherlands' offensive output. His performance was complemented by Donyell Malen, who scored twice in the final minutes to seal the deal. The duo's efforts were instrumental in dispelling any doubts about the team's capabilities following their previous setback.
Detailing his thoughts on the match, Gakpo remarked, "This was the answer we had to our last performance—good game, good goals, we played good football." He added, "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."
Strategic Mastery and Execution
Head coach Ronald Koeman’s strategic acumen played a crucial role in the outcome. "We had analyzed Romania well. Belgium showed us there was a lot of space to exploit [against Romania]. But it took a long time before we got the second goal," Koeman explained. His tactical adjustments ensured the Dutch side capitalized on Romania's vulnerabilities.
Koeman also praised the team for their overall performance. "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. The team realized 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 the first 10 minutes when there was a lot of pressure."
Malen’s Late Double
The icing on the cake came in the final stages of the match. In the 83rd minute, Gakpo set up Malen for his first goal, showcasing the clinical nature of the Dutch attack. Malen completed his brace in stoppage time, further solidifying the Netherlands' dominance.
Koeman expressed his confidence in the team’s defensive solidity, stating, “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." Indeed, Simons' aggressive play and drive were pivotal in maintaining the team's momentum throughout the match.
A QuarterFinal Clash Awaits
With their sights now set on the quarter-finals, the Netherlands will gear up to face either Austria or Turkey in Berlin on Saturday. The team’s recent performance will undoubtedly boost their confidence heading into the next round. Van Dijk put it succinctly, "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. We are self-critical and we knew it had to be a lot better after the last game, and everyone had to take responsibility, and today they showed they wanted to."
This resounding victory has reinvigorated the Dutch side and their supporters, signaling that the team is back on track and ready to challenge for European glory.