The Netherlands dominated Romania as they reached the EURO 2024 quarterfinals thanks to a 3-0 win.
[ MORE: EURO 2024 schedule, bracket ]
Ronald Koeman’s side carved out chances galore and the excellent Cody Gakpo scored a beauty in the first half and added a splendid assist for Donyell Malen in the second. Substitute Malen then added his second late on with a solo effort to seal the win in style.
Romania huffed and puffed but never really had an answer for the Dutch midfield and attack.
The Netherlands are now heading to Berlin for their quarterfinal full of confidence, while Romania have left their mark in Germany with some brave, high-energy displays.
“Tournament Gakpo” delivers again as Dutch spark arrives
We had seen this in flashes from the Netherlands during the tournament so far but their spark in attack was lit by Cody Gakpo and remained throughout the game. “Tournament Gakpo” as he shall now be known was electric, scoring a beauty, doing superbly to set up the crucial second goal and having another chalked out for offside as he bamboozled the Romanian defense. Gakpo’s direct running hunger and simplicity to go towards goal as quickly as possible was so refreshing to see and we didn’t see it that much at Liverpool last season. But in his two major tournaments for the Dutch he’s now scored six goals (three so far this tournament and three at the 2022 World Cup) and it looks like plenty more is to come. Add in Memphis Depay and Xavi Simons buzzing around next to him, a solid defensive unit and the tidy midfield duo of Schouten and Reijnders dictating the tempo and this Dutch team look like they could get to the final as they’re on the ‘easier side’ of the bracket. The only thing the Dutch need to work on is being more clinical because they’re creating so many good chances.
Asked about the extra aggression he and his Dutch teammates showed against Romania, Gakpo admitted that was a focus after their defeat to Austria in their final group stage game.
“Yeah I agree. Especially after the last game we needed a reaction and I think today was a good step in the right direction,” Gakpo told the TV cameras. “We talked a lot about the aggression, the intensity, defending like a team... Sacrifice something for each other. Work very hard to do your best and I’m happy I could assist Donny [Malen] with a goal and good game overall.”
Romania vs Netherlands player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Gakpo, Memphis and Xavi Simons were excellent going forward for the Dutch, while Dumfries was superb at right back. Schouten and Reijnders were great in midfield too.
What’s next?
The Netherlands will now face either Austria or Turkiye in the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, July 6 at 3pm ET.
How to watch Romania vs Netherlands, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12pm ET, Tuesday (July 2)
Stadium: Munich Football Arena
How to watch on TV, stream in USA: Fox Sports, FS1
Romania vs Netherlands final score: 0-3
Gakpo 20', Malen 83', 93'
Romania vs Netherlands live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Malen slots home after a wonderful solo run - Romania 0-3 Netherlands (93rd minute)
With the last attack of the game Malen runs from distance and slots home to make it 3-0. Also, keep an eye on the goalkeeper having to kick a sneaker off the pitch as that had somehow found its way onto the field from the stands or from the one pitch invader.
MALEN MAKES IT THREE 🔥
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
The Netherlands adds another before the final whistle 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/b840NYhfC3
Gakpo does superb to keep it in and Malen taps home - Romania 0-2 Netherlands (83rd minute)
The Dutch finally have their second goal. After a nice flick from Memphis, Gakpo does superbly to keep the ball in on the line and cuts the ball back to Malen to tap home. Game. Set. Match. The Netherlands deserve this.
Brilliant from Cody Gakpo and Malen taps home. Game. Set. Match. The Netherlands totally deserve this. They've created so many good chances and finally got the crucial second. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/kBgF8qIORs
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 2, 2024
Veerman slots inches wide
After Xavi Simons takes too long on a shot once again, the ball drops to Joey Veerman and he curls a low effort towards the far post and it rolls inches wide.
Depay’s free kick is under the wall and just wide
Memphis Depay, that is cheeky. He puts his free kick low and under the wall and it just squirms wide of the post. He thought that was in.
Now VAR denies Gakpo
A cross into the box is flicked on to Gakpo and he finishes well... but VAR takes a look and Gakpo is clearly offside. No goal.
After a review, this goal is disallowed for the Netherlands pic.twitter.com/V4RplsGG0J
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2024
Gakpo denied by Nita this time
Another Dutch counter and Gakpo runs free and gets a shot on goal but Romanian goalkeeper Nita pulls off a top stop this time. How is it only 1-0 to the Netherlands?
Malen makes the wrong decision, then Van Dijk hits the post
The Dutch are in on the counter but Malen picks the wrong pass and Romanian clear. Ronald Koeman is fuming on the sidelines. From the resulting corner Virgil van Dijk hits the post with a header.
Off the line as Depay denied
Ratiu gets his foot in just as Depay is about to tap home, then Racovitan clears off the line. Romania hanging on. How many more chances are the Dutch going to miss?
Schouten is running the show in midfield
The Netherlands look nice and calm to start the second half and Schouten is getting on the ball and looks so relaxed. Romania can’t get hold of the ball.
Half time: Romania 0-1 Netherlands
A really exciting first half comes to an end and the Netherlands should be at least 2-0 ahead. They are ripping Romania apart down their right flank. But the Dutch have been wasteful and Romania are somehow still in this and they’ve had enough going forward to suggest they can get level in the second half.
Simons should make it 2-0!
A poor mistake from Romania’s Racovitan and the ball is played in to Xavi Simons but he can’t get it out of his feet and he scuffs it wide.
Dragusin with an incredible clearance
Dumfries is in down the right and squares it for Memphis Depay to tap in, but Tottenham center back Dragusin slides in and clears the danger perfectly. He did so well. That could’ve easily been an own goal. The Netherlands are in full flow.
Should be 2-0!
A corner is whipped in by Depay and De Vrij is free at the back post but his header is wide of the post and into the side-netting.
Gakpo powers home! - Romania 0-1 Netherlands (20th minute)
More brilliance from Cody Gakpo, who is having a superb tournament. He cuts inside and powers towards goal before smashing a low shot in at the near post. The goalkeeper will be upset with that but Gakpo doesn’t care. He is now joint-top goalscorer at EURO 2024 with three goals and the Dutch fans are going wild in the stands.
This is peak Cody Gakpo. Sensational. pic.twitter.com/aPpe192M9q
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 2, 2024
Dutch can’t make the most of several corners
Much better from the Netherlands as they’re building some pressure and have a few corners on the bounce. But Memphis Depay can’t get his delivery right. They really have to make the most of those opportunities.
Decent start from Romania but Memphis is lurking
As expected, high-energy from Romania and they are pressing the Dutch into some mistakes on the ball early on. But Memphis Depay has just been denied at the other end as the offside flag went up. Really good start from the Romanians.
Romania lineup
Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Mogos; Marin; Man, Stanciu, Marin, Hagi; Dragus
Netherlands lineup
Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders; Bergwijn, Simons, Gakpo; Depay
Romania team news, focus
Left back Nicusor Bancu is suspended so Romania will be forced into a change. The midfield trio of Marin, Stanciu and Hagi will lead their charge and Romania have absolutely nothing to lose. They have attacked this tournament head on and that is their best chance of upsetting the Dutch in Munich. Genoa forward George Puscas could start up front as he and Denis Dragus battle for the starting spot.
Netherlands team news, focus
Koeman has tried plenty of different players in this tournament and is yet to find the right balance in his team. It seems like Gakpo, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay will start in attack, while Koeman is likely to go back to Dumfries, Van Dijk, De Vrij and Ake in defense. Schouten and Veerman are battling for a central midfield spot, while Reijnders has had a decent tournament in the engine room.
Romania vs Netherlands prediction
It feels like this will be an open, entertaining game as both teams are better when they’re going for it. It feels like the extra quality the Netherlands possess will just get them through, but don’t be surprised if this one goes to extra time. Romania 1-2 Netherlands.