The Netherlands win after much criticism from home. In a dominant performance, the Elftal initially missed numerous chances. A Dortmund joker scores twice.
Cody Gakpo and double winger Donyell Malen led the Netherlands to their first European Championship quarter-final in 16 years after much criticism from home.
The outstanding Liverpool FC striker (20th minute) and Dortmund substitute Malen (83rd and 90th +3) scored to give the Elftal a 3-0 (1-0) victory over passionate underdogs Romania in Munich on Tuesday.
In the city of the Netherlands’ only title win 36 years ago, Bonds coach Ronald Koeman was delighted with a dominant performance and the ultimately safe progress despite a lack of chances in the early stages. On the way to their dream second European Championship title, his team will face Austria or Turkey in the quarter-finals in Berlin on Saturday.
Gakpo had described the start to the knockout round a week after the sobering 3-2 defeat to Austria as the start of a new tournament – and the 25-year-old led the way with his goal. After a fine individual performance, he shot from around twelve meters. The ball hit Romania goalkeeper Florin Nita in the short corner at 121 km/h.
A second goal from the former Jürgen Klopp player was disallowed by Berlin referee Felix Zwayer after a check by the video assistant (63′). Gakpo now has three goals in the tournament. The attacker provided the assist for the decisive 2:0 goal
After a courageous opening phase, in which the Eastern Europeans briefly caused the Netherlands problems with their energetic pressing, there was not much danger after Gakpo’s effective goal. Almost 30 years to the day after the Romanians’ great success with Anghel Iordanescu as coach in the World Cup round of 16 against Argentina, his son Edward Iordanescu was denied a similar tournament coup as coach.
It is true that his national team players, who were “driven by an entire country”, went about their business with great passion and repeatedly celebrated tackles. But also due to bad luck with injuries – Ianis Hagi had to play with a head bandage after suffering a laceration early on and defender Vasile Mogos was forced off before the break – Dennis Man’s warning shot (14th) was all that remained before the break. The Romanian fans, who cheered on their team more loudly than the Oranje supporters, cheered him on nonetheless.
The Dutch appeared in front of the Romanian goal far more often. However, the ten corners in the first half alone did not produce the goal that Bonds coach Koeman was longing for. Xavi Simons, who is being touted as a candidate for FC Bayern, also failed miserably in his possible future home stadium. The 21-year-old thought too long about how he wanted to finish in front of goal. The result was a curling ball next to the goal (44′).
After Elftal had failed to make it 2:0 before the break, the game remained tense after the break. The underdogs fought back to avoid elimination from the European Championship. As in the first half, the Netherlands repeatedly lacked precision in the final moments. Or Nita saved, as with Gakpo’s long-range shot (62′).
In the final phase, with several opportunities for Oranje, Dortmund’s Malen scored twice. Thousands of Dutch fans cheered in the stands as they reached the quarter-finals