The Netherlands showcased their resurgence with a convincing 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday, advancing to the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.
A Dominant Performance
The Dutch team emerged with a purpose, making a statement after their previous 3-2 defeat to Austria. Cody Gakpo, who has been in fine form throughout the tournament, opened the scoring by netting his third goal of the competition. Donyell Malen added two more goals late into the match, sealing the victory in emphatic fashion.
Despite Romania controlling the tempo in the first quarter of an hour, the Netherlands quickly took the reins, maintaining two-thirds of possession throughout the match. The team from the Low Countries bombarded the Romanian goal with nearly five times more attempts, recording a total of 24 shots. Virgil van Dijk came close to adding his name to the scoresheet, with his header striking the post.
Late Flourish Ensures Victory
The game remained on a knife's edge until the final minutes when Malen stepped up to deliver two decisive blows. His first goal came in the 83rd minute, set up by Gakpo. The second followed in stoppage time, ensuring the Netherlands' progression with an unassailable lead.
Building on Past Lessons
Virgil van Dijk reflected on the team's performance with a sense of pride and relief. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," he stated. Addressing the team's previous shortcomings, he added, "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."
Head coach Ronald Koeman also shared his insights, acknowledging the team's improvement following their last outing. "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," he commented. Koeman elaborated on the tactical approach, "We had analysed 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."
Praise for Xavi Simons
The coach reserved special praise for Xavi Simons, whose performance stood out. "I wasn't scared they'd equalise 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 said.
Gakpo, who set up Malen's first goal, echoed the positive sentiment post-match, focusing on the team's response. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football," he said. Emphasizing the team's control and ability to handle their opponents, he added, "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."
Quarterfinals Await
With their place in the quarterfinals secured, the Netherlands now prepare to face either Austria or Turkey in Berlin on Saturday. The victory against Romania provides a solid platform for the Dutch team as they aim to continue their journey deeper into the tournament.
This win not only settles nerves but also reignites hope among Oranje supporters, offering a glimpse of what this steadfast and skilled squad is capable of as the stakes get higher in the Euro campaign.