The Netherlands secured their place in the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday. The Dutch side, buoyed by a strong performance from Cody Gakpo and a late double from Donyell Malen, demonstrated their attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
Dominance from the Start
Despite a spirited beginning from Romania, who controlled the tempo in the first quarter of an hour, the Netherlands gradually asserted their dominance. The Dutch maintained two-thirds of possession and recorded almost five times more attempts on goal than their opponents, amassing a total of 24 shots.
Much of the credit for this overwhelming display goes to key players like Virgil van Dijk, who came close to scoring with a header that struck the post. Van Dijk expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, stating, "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much."
Gakpo and Malen Lead the Way
Cody Gakpo continued his brilliant form in the tournament by scoring his third goal, further solidifying his reputation as a clutch player for the Dutch side. Reflecting on the team's response after their previous 3-2 loss to Austria, Gakpo said, "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football."
Coach Ronald Koeman echoed this sentiment, highlighting the team's improved performance: "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. The team realized that the last game was really bad in all aspects and so they have given out a strong message."
Sealing the Victory
The match remained tightly contested until the final minutes, when Donyell Malen's late heroics ensured a comfortable win for the Netherlands. In the 83rd minute, Gakpo set up Malen for his first goal, and Malen added another in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.
Koeman praised the tactical discipline that allowed the team to exploit Romania's weaknesses: "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." Despite the initial challenges, the resilience of the Dutch team shone through.
Defensive Solidity and Key Performances
Beyond their offensive exploits, the Netherlands' defensive unit held firm against Romania's attempts to equalize. Van Dijk emphasized the collective effort: "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."
Koeman singled out Xavi Simons for his outstanding performance: "I wasn't scared they'd equalize because we defended so well. I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too, he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive."
Looking Forward to the Quarterfinals
With this victory, the Netherlands set up a tantalizing quarter-final clash against Austria or Turkey, to be held in Berlin on Saturday. Gakpo remains optimistic but realistic about the team's prospects: "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."
As the Dutch celebrate their return to the quarters after over a decade, the players and fans alike will be hoping the momentum carries them even further in the tournament. The win against Romania has not only restored confidence but also reignited dreams of Euro glory.