New Delhi: Romania found themselves overwhelmed as the Netherlands finally delivered the performance everyone had been anticipating. The Dutch team took charge of the game early on, and the breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Cody Gakpo unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the box, giving the Netherlands a crucial 1-0 lead. This early goal unsettled the Romanians, who struggled to regain their footing as the match wore on.
With a narrow lead at halftime, the Netherlands continued to assert their dominance in the second half. Donyell Malen emerged as the star of the show, scoring twice within ten minutes. His first goal came from a well-executed team play, positioning him perfectly to slot the ball past the Romanian goalkeeper. His second goal showcased his brilliance, as he skillfully navigated through the Romanian defense to find the back of the net once more.
This 3-0 victory not only secured the Netherlands a spot in the quarter-finals but also marked their tenth win over Romania in 14 encounters. The dominant performance highlighted the Dutch team’s potential and silenced any lingering doubts about their capabilities. It was a significant morale boost for the team, especially after a somewhat shaky group stage.
Now, the Netherlands eagerly await the outcome of the Austria vs. Turkey match to learn who their next opponents will be in the quarter-finals. Brimming with confidence, the Dutch team looks to build on this momentum as they prepare for the challenges ahead. The stage is set for an exciting and competitive quarter-final round in UEFA Euro 2024, with the Netherlands poised to continue their quest for the championship.
Turning Point: Donyell Malen substitution helped the Dutch belter their chances
MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 02: Donyell Malen of the Netherlands celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between Romania and Netherlands at Munich Football Arena on July 02, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
The Netherlands had 26 shots on goal, with six shots on target. Romania started the game well, with Iagi and Dragus threatening the Dutch box and nearly putting the ball inside the net. However, the Dutch midfield settled in the match after 20 minutes and started putting the balls to the front three – Gakpo, Depay, and Bergwijn. They created multiple chances but failed to capitalise. The breakthrough came when Gakpo cut inside the box from the left flank, and beltered the ball inside the net in the 20th minute.
Since then, the Netherlands dominated the game and left no crumbs for the Romanians. Even though the Dutch forwards created chances, they failed to put the ball inside the net. Poor finishing has been a recurring issue at Ronald Koeman’s side in the Euro 2024. They lost against Austria and barely made it to the knockout rounds. Their troubles up-front have been raising questions regarding Koeman’s reluctance to play in-form striker Joshua Zirkzee.
Memphis Depay has been poor for the Netherlands in this tournament. The forward has failed to convert most of his chances from 13 shots. Only two of them have challenged the opposition goalkeeper in the tournament, and the rest have gone over the post. Hence, Ronald Koeman’s side suffered in every match to find the right finisher to enforce the Dutch dominance.
In this match, a revelation of Malen helped the Dutch finally play like a contender in this competition. His substitution made the front three more fluid and helped Xavi Simons rotate the ball properly in between the runs taken by Gakpo and Malen. The combination of Gakpo and Malen broke down the entire Romanian defence, and the Dutch striker ended up scoring two crucial goals against Romania.
The competition has seen 90-minute screamers in multiple games, and Romania could have pulled off an England against the shaky Dutch defence in the late phases of the match. However, Malen’s terrific finishing helped the Dutch settle the match once and for all. His quickfire double settled the quarter-final qualification for the Netherlands.
The Netherlands overwhelmed Romania with a commanding performance. Gakpo and Malen scores for the Dutch. CHeck out the turning point of the match! Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
