In a decisive round of 16 match on Tuesday, the Netherlands cemented their place in the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008, delivering a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania. This win showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive solidity, a significant turnaround after their previous 3-2 loss to Austria.
A Slow Start but a Strong Finish
The Dutch faced early pressure from Romania, who controlled the tempo in the opening quarter of an hour. However, the Netherlands gradually took charge, dominating possession with two-thirds of the ball and registering almost five times more attempts on goal than their opponents, amounting to a staggering 24 shots. Despite Romania’s initial control, they struggled to find opportunities against a well-organized Dutch defense.
The Key Moments
Cody Gakpo continued his impressive form, netting his third goal of the tournament to give the Netherlands an early lead. The Orange Army’s attacking threat persisted throughout the match, and Virgil van Dijk nearly doubled the lead with a powerful header that unfortunately struck the post.
As the match moved into its final stages, Donyell Malen emerged as the hero with two late goals. In the 83rd minute, Gakpo turned provider, setting up Malen for his first goal. Malen then sealed Romania's fate with his second strike coming in stoppage time, ensuring a comprehensive triumph for the Dutch.
Defensive Solidity Praised
Reflecting on the match, 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. The Dutch captain emphasized the importance of bouncing back from their previous game. "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. Today, they showed they wanted to."
Koeman’s Tactical Mastery
Head coach Ronald Koeman also shared his thoughts on the team’s performance. "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. 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," he noted.
Koeman’s tactical analysis revealed their strategy against Romania. "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." Expressing confidence in his squad, Koeman added, "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."
Looking Forward to the Quarterfinals
Budding star Cody Gakpo pointed out areas for improvement while praising the team’s response to recent criticism. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football." He acknowledged that there is always room for improvement but was satisfied with the progress made. "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," Gakpo stated.
With this victory, the Netherlands advance with renewed confidence to their quarterfinal bout against either Austria or Turkey, set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. The Dutch camp will look to build on this performance, blending their formidable attack with a reinforced defense, as they aim to make deep inroads into the tournament.