The Netherlands cruised into the Euro quarterfinals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania on Tuesday, marking their first appearance at this stage since 2008. The Dutch side, led by Virgil van Dijk’s defensive solidity and Cody Gakpo's attacking prowess, dominated the match from start to finish.
Gakpo and Malen Shine
Cody Gakpo, a standout performer throughout the tournament, continued his impressive form by scoring his third goal. As the game progressed, Donyell Malen emerged as the hero, netting two late goals to seal the Netherlands' triumph. Gakpo's deft assist set up Malen's first strike in the 83rd minute, and Malen doubled his tally in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.
“This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football,” Gakpo reflected post-match. “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.”
Dominant Display Despite Early Romanian Pressure
Romania started strong, controlling the tempo for the first quarter of an hour. However, the Netherlands soon found their rhythm, maintaining two-thirds of possession and recording almost five times more attempts on goal than their opponents, tallying a total of 24 shots. Virgil van Dijk nearly added his name to the scoresheet with a powerful header that struck the post, underscoring the Dutch dominance.
Reflecting on the match, Van Dijk expressed pride in the team's performance. “We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much,” he noted. “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.”
Strategic Mastery from Koeman
Manager Ronald Koeman’s tactical acumen was evident as the Dutch side executed their game plan to perfection. Having analyzed Romania’s weaknesses, particularly the spaces left vulnerable as highlighted by Belgium, the Netherlands patiently waited until the latter stages to capitalize on their chances.
“I thought there were a lot of good things we did,” Koeman remarked. “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. 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.”
Xavi Simons' Standout Performance
Youngster Xavi Simons earned accolades for his dynamic performance, which played a crucial role in driving the team forward. Koeman was particularly impressed: “I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too, he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive.”
Looking ahead, the Netherlands will face either Austria or Turkey in the quarter-final clash set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. Despite the loss to Austria in the previous match, the team’s ability to bounce back with such authority showcases their potential to go deep into the tournament.
With this victory, the Netherlands have not only secured their spot in the final eight but also sent a clear message to their competitors: they are back and ready to challenge the best in Europe.