The Netherlands secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday, marking their progression to the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. This triumph came on the heels of a disappointing 3-2 loss to Austria in their previous match, showcasing a remarkable turnaround by the Dutch squad.
Gakpo's Continued Brilliance
Cody Gakpo opened the scoreline with his third goal of the tournament, setting the stage for a dominant performance by the Netherlands. The young forward's consistent brilliance has been a highlight of the Dutch campaign, and his efforts were complemented by Donyell Malen, who netted two late goals to seal the result.
Malen’s Late Magic
The match was tightly contested for the majority of the game, with Romania controlling the tempo in the first 15 minutes. Despite their early dominance, the Romanians failed to capitalize on their possession. The Netherlands, exhibiting superior tactical discipline, maintained two-thirds possession throughout the match and managed an impressive 24 shots on goal, nearly five times more than their opponents.
Virgil van Dijk, a stalwart in the Dutch defense, almost added to the tally with a powerful header that struck the post. However, it was Malen’s late double that secured the win. In the 83rd minute, Gakpo set up Malen for his first goal, following which Malen doubled the lead in stoppage time, ensuring an unassailable lead.
Defensive Solidity and Tactical Precision
Virgil van Dijk expressed his satisfaction with the team's defensive performance. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," he said, highlighting the team's resilience. Van Dijk noted the team's ability to rebound from recent criticism, adding, "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."
This sentiment was echoed by head coach Ronald Koeman, who praised the team's response to their previous shortcomings. "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. The team realised that the last game was really bad in all aspects and so they have given out a strong message. We played well in the whole game, except the first 10 minutes when there was a lot of pressure," Koeman remarked.
Tactical Adjustments
Koeman's analysis of Romania proved vital in securing the win. "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 struggle to break through, Koeman indicated he was not overly concerned about Romania equalizing due to the team’s robust defending.
"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," Koeman added, singling out the young midfielder for his exceptional performance.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Cody Gakpo, reflecting on the match, shared, "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football." His reflections underscored the team’s determination to improve after their previous defeat. "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."
The Netherlands now prepare for their quarterfinal clash against Austria or Turkey, set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. With their recent performance, the Dutch squad has provided a resounding response to critics, positioning themselves as a formidable contender in the tournament.