The Netherlands triumphantly secured their spot in the Euro quarterfinals after a convincing 3-0 victory over Romania in the round of 16 clash on Tuesday. This marks the first time the Dutch side has advanced this far in the tournament since 2008.
A Resilient Performance
After their previous 3-2 loss to Austria, the Netherlands entered the match with a point to prove. They wasted no time as Cody Gakpo, who has been one of the standout players of the tournament, scored his third goal, setting the tone early. Though Romania managed to control the tempo for the first quarter of an hour, the Dutch quickly found their rhythm and dominated possession with two-thirds of the ball.
Gakpo and Malen Shine
The duo of Gakpo and Donyell Malen was particularly impressive. Gakpo not only added to his goal tally but also played a crucial role by setting up Malen's first goal in the 83rd minute. Malen then sealed the match with a second goal in stoppage time, bringing his tally to two and securing the victory for the Netherlands. "This was the answer we had to our last performance," Gakpo stated. "Good game, good goals, we played good football."
Defensive Solidity
Virgil van Dijk, a rock at the back for the Dutch, almost got on the scoresheet himself but was denied by the post with a powerful header. Reflecting on the performance, van Dijk expressed his satisfaction. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," he said. "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."
Masterclass Management by Koeman
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman was equally pleased with his team’s display. "I thought there were a lot of good things we did," Koeman remarked. "The team realized 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."
Highlighting the preparation that went into the match, Koeman said, "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."
Praise for Xavi Simons
Koeman had particular praise for Xavi Simons, who delivered an outstanding performance. "I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too, he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive," Koeman shared, reflecting the young player's ability to influence the game significantly. This sentiment was echoed by van Dijk, who appreciated Simons's aggressive drive.
Dominance Reflected in Statistics
The Netherlands’ dominance was evident in the statistics as well. They recorded nearly five times more attempts on goal than their Romanian counterparts, with a total of 24 shots. Despite the early pressure from Romania, the Dutch defense held firm, ensuring they kept a clean sheet.
Looking Ahead
The Netherlands will now face either Austria or Turkey in their quarter-final clash, set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. The confidence and high spirits in the Dutch camp are palpable, and after this performance, they will undoubtedly be looking forward to the challenge ahead. "Of course, we could do better but a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction," added Gakpo, summing up the team's readiness and ambition moving forward.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Netherlands’ comprehensive win over Romania serves as a declaration of their intent in this tournament. With key players like Gakpo, Malen, and Simons in form and a solid defense marshaled by van Dijk, the Dutch look poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming quarterfinals.