Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of Euro 2024 before substitute Donyell Malen scored twice to send the Netherlands to the quarter-finals of this tournament for the first time in 16 years.
Romania brilliantly, but the Netherlands scored first when Gakpo fired a low shot near the post. The Netherlands missed several chances to double their lead before Malen came off the bench to score twice.
They will then face Turkey, who beat Austria (the team that defeated the Netherlands 3-2 at the organizational level) in an adjustment for the tournament contenders.
I commented that there are seven defeats left and one to play in Euro 2024 out of 16, and that the last Euro draw will come in about 20 minutes.
The dark horse of the tournament, Austria, will face Turkey in Leipzig; You can follow our policy here.
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There’s only one round of 16 left (we’ll talk more about that in a while) and a delightful lineup for the quarterfinals is almost complete.
Here’s what we have so far:
Cody Gakpo is the youngest Dutch player to score and assist in a primary tournament tie since Marco van Basten in the EURO 1988 final; He is 23 years and 238 days old.
Gakpo will make headlines, as will Malen, and rightly so.
But, somewhere in between, Xavi Simons was exceptional. He lent a hand for the first and third goals and while they focused more on the individual brilliance that followed, they remained key contributions.
By providing two assists, he became the second-youngest player (21 years and 72 days) to provide two assists in a single European Championship knockout match. He is only 19 days older than Cesc Fàbregas when he dished out two assists against Russia in the final. Euro 2008 semi-final against Russia.
Several of our editors were able to offer their instant research on this stunning victory for the Netherlands in The Briefing (see below).
GOING FURTHER
Romania 0 Netherlands 3: Dutch in style advance to quarter-finals as Gakpo chases Golden Boot – The Briefing
Romania has won a tie in a primary tournament, against Argentina in 1994, at the World Cup in the United States. After finishing first in their organization and facing a disappointing Dutch team, many felt that Romania had a serious chance of emulating the feats of thirty years ago.
For 20 minutes, it looked like Romania were destined for the quarter-finals, but they conceded and collapsed temporarily, as if it was a blow they simply couldn’t recover from.
In truth, it never seemed that they could find the equalizer.
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While the Oranje deserve full credit for continuing to press and finally doubling their lead in the 83rd minute before adding a third in stoppage time, they will want to waste less if they hope to advance to the final week of the Euros.
3-0 is a great result for a team that finished third in their group, but Ronald Koeman will be concerned about how his team found themselves in a good position without actually scoring.
Decision-making is the only really negative thing in the proper functioning of a team that many thought would struggle this afternoon.
Gakpo spoke a lot about his team’s reaction to the defeat to Austria in the last game after the match.
“We played an intelligent game, we showed an intelligent reaction from the last and (I’m) very happy,” he told the BBC. “After the last game, we needed a reaction and today a smart step in the right direction. “.
“We talk a lot about aggressiveness, intensity and protection as a team. It’s a smart level and I’m very pleased to have won. “
It’s no wonder who won the UEFA Man of the Match award.
Gakpo is by far the most productive player on the pitch after his third goal of the tournament and a brilliant assist for Malen’s first goal. His goals came to Holland through an unstable organisational level and he continues to play the leading role like the rest. of his colleagues have joined the party.
If he continues like this, he might win the Golden Boot and, who knows, even a champion’s medal.
England won a lot of complaints at Euro 2024 for probably taking the lead after taking the lead instead of going for the jugular. The Netherlands, on the other hand, were under pressure until they took the lead against Romania.
The goal gave them confidence and they began to attack their warring sides as much as imaginable rather than just holding a narrow lead. Football is about purposes and it’s smart to look at teams, even those that don’t have great attacking ability. talent, they refuse to take a defensive approach.
A wonderful full-time scene at the Allianz Arena as the two head to opposite corners to show their appreciation to their travelling supporters.
The fans were brilliant today, as they have been during the tournament, and created a fantastic atmosphere.
Romanian fans enjoyed a crusade they didn’t expect, while Dutch fans will travel to Berlin for the quarter-finals on Saturday.
And, based on this evidence, they will believe in their chances of reaching a semi-final and, potentially, a final.
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This run to Malen is surely lovely. I admit that I do not realise how long it has been since the Netherlands embarked on the euro.
Of course, they had questions about the variety of players and are at the mercy of trying to play Cruyff’s way, but today they have three glorious and very different objectives.
FT Romania 0-3 Netherlands
It is the Netherlands who will play in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, and rightly so!
He has been in the vast majority of the round of 16 and Romania’s crusade is coming to an end.
90 4′ Romania 0-3 Netherlands
Romania found themselves behind after sending almost their entire team ahead from a delayed corner.
Simons showed electric speed in his own part to send the ball behind Malen, who carried it 60 meters, brilliantly beat the Romanian defender who covered it and sent a shot into the back of the net.
90 3′ Romania 0-3 Netherlands
Donyell Malen approves of the Netherlands’ victory!
90 1′ Romania 0-2 Netherlands
A small child ran into the box as the match unfolded. We don’t know what he was doing (a selfie with the doorman maybe?), but it might have been unpleasant if there had been a collision.
Fortunately, the flight attendants left early.
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90 1′ Romania 0-2 Netherlands
Four minutes of inactivity ahead.
90′ Romania 0-2 Netherlands
Another court invader in this tournament had to be removed from the playing surface.
And unlike the start of the tournament, it did so in a very temporary and efficient way.
89′ Romania 0-2 Netherlands
The Dutch enthusiasts were dominated by their Romanian rivals for much of this match, but now they are the ones making all the noise in Munich.
On Saturday they will play the quarterfinals in Berlin.