The Netherlands secure their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 win over Romania thanks to a Cody Gakpo strike and a Donyell Malen brace.
The Netherlands produced a dominant display to beat Romania 3-0 in Munich to advance to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024.
After weathering a period of Romanian pressure, the Dutch broke the deadlock courtesy of Cody Gakpo‘s 20th-minute effort.
The Oranje may have established an early lead, but their search for a second goal proved to be a frustrating one as chances passed them by.
Stefan de Vrij headed into the side netting, Gakpo had a goal ruled out and Virgil van Dijk nodded the ball against the upright as Romania continued to lead a charmed life.
However, Romania’s luck ultimately ran out in the 83rd minute when Donyell Malen tapped the ball in from Gakpo’s cutback.
The Borussia Dortmund man grabbed his second in stoppage time to ensure the Netherlands can now look forward to a quarter-final appearance at the European Championships for the first time since 2008.
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Gakpo finds crucial breakthrough
After scoring against Poland and Austria in the group stage, Gakpo required just 20 minutes of the last-16 clash to grab his third goal of Euro 2024.
The Liverpool forward collected the ball on the left blank and took a few touches before cutting inside onto his right foot to create the space for a driven near-post shot.
Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita got a hand to the powerful shot, but he could not prevent it from nestling in the back of the net.
Gakpo would have been left slightly frustrated after he saw a potential second goal ruled out in the 63rd minute due to an offside infringement.
What a goal by Cody Gakpo!!! 😲#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/bqLnTHvvvI
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 2, 2024
Malen plays impact sub role
Malen dropped to the bench after making his first start of the tournament in the Netherlands’ 3-2 defeat to Austria in their final group game.
However, the 25-year-old will certainly be in the conversation to start in the quarter-final following his impressive substitute performance in Munich.
Netherlands had spurned a number of glorious opportunities to add a second, before Malen produced a simple finish from Gakpo’s cut-back to double his country’s advantage in the 83rd minute.
After scoring his first goal at a major tournament, the Borussia Dortmund man was celebrating his second just 10 minutes later.
Malen picked up the ball on the halfway line to lead a Dutch counter-attack before drifting inside and picking out the bottom corner with a driven finish.
Donyell Malen has done it again!
The Netherlands are through to the quarter-finals 👏 #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/S0tBWYIAlN
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 2, 2024
More to follow.
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