The Netherlands showcased a commanding performance to secure a 3-0 victory over Romania on Tuesday, earning their first spot in the Euro quarterfinals in 16 years. The Dutch team, appearing to peak at the perfect moment, delighted fans with a display of skill and precision at Euro 2024.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a well-placed shot that set the tone for the match. Despite numerous opportunities to extend their lead, the Netherlands had to wait until the closing stages for substitute Donyell Malen to make his mark, who netted two late goals to seal the win.
“I think the whole performance today was outstanding, and that’s what we need to have a chance to continue in this tournament,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. “This is the level. If you go down in that level, then we don’t reach the final.”
Captain Virgil van Dijk came close to adding to the tally, hitting the woodwork, as the Dutch side demonstrated a marked improvement from their group stage performances, which concluded with a 3-2 loss to Austria.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to explain why you play bad,” Koeman reflected. “Even today, the start was difficult. They were really aggressive. But finally we found our ball position. What we created was good football… Maybe one critical point was that it took too long to score the second one.”
For Romania, the match was a memorable journey that resonated with their fervent supporters. Making only their second appearance in the knockout stages of the European Championship as group winners, Romania’s vibrant, yellow-clad fans filled the stadium with unwavering support.
“Today we ended a great story, which we started two years ago,” Romania coach Edward Iordanescu commented. “The team gave a great effort, but there is some sadness. We wanted more, but we gave our all. Thank you to my lads, the supporters, and Romanians everywhere in the world who supported us.”
The Netherlands will look to carry this momentum forward as they progress deeper into the tournament, eyeing a place in the final. Their next challenge awaits as they prepare for the quarterfinals, with confidence bolstered by this significant victory.
Reference(s):
Improved Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 to reach Euro 2024 quarterfinals
cgtn.com
