Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands netted his third goal in the European Championship, while substitute Donyell Malen contributed two additional goals towards the end, securing a 3-0 victory over Romania in the round of 16. The Dutch team displayed a revitalized performance on Tuesday, bouncing back from criticism over their defensive lapses in a previous 3-2 loss to Austria. This marks their first entry into the Euro quarterfinals since 2008.
The Dutch began cautiously at the Munich Football Arena against the underdog Romania, who initially dominated possession with the support of their yellow-clad fans. However, the Netherlands gradually took control of the match, scoring the first goal through Gakpo after 20 minutes. Malen's late brace ensured a quarter-final match against either Austria or Turkey, who were scheduled to play later on Tuesday in Berlin.
Gakpo, who was instrumental throughout the match, also assisted Malen's first goal, maintaining possession on the touchline and delivering a cross for an easy finish. Malen's second goal came in stoppage time, showcasing the Dutch team's improved coordination in the tournament. Romania, despite their earlier successes in the group stage, struggled to create significant threats, with their manager's expectations of a near-perfect performance unmet.
The Netherlands dominated possession and created numerous scoring opportunities, highlighting their superiority in the match. Romania's defense was further tested when a collision necessitated an early substitution. The Dutch performance, despite areas for improvement, demonstrated a significant step forward following their recent setback.
