The Netherlands completely justified the role of favourite they got before the game and, easier than expected, brushed off the inferior Romanians 3-0. Although the final score does not reflect this, the Dutchmen could have scored a couple more goals and beat the opponent much more convincingly. Cody Gakpo gave a brilliant performance, opening the scoring in the 20th minute and assisting for the sub, Donyell Malen, in the 83rd. Borussia Dortmund forward set the final result in the added time with his second goal after a fantastic solo effort.Seventeen years after Romania’s one and only triumph over the Netherlands, the stage was set for the most important duel between the two teams ever – the round of 16 of EURO 2024. During those 17 years, the two teams met four times, Oranje winning each of them, with a 13-1 goal difference. Hence, if nothing, tradition and history at least slightly favoured the Dutchmen ahead of today’s clash.Ronald Koeman’s experiment of leaving Xavi Simons on the bench against Austria proved to be a terrible choice since the Dutch lost the game 3-2. So, the experienced strategist opted for the same midfield as against France with Simons, Tijjani Reijnders, and Jerdy Schouten, while Steven Bergwijn got the chance in the starting 11, that being his first minute in the tournament. On the other hand, Romania boss Edward Iordănescu didn’t want to mix things up too much and made only one significant change, and even that one was forced – Nicușor Bancu was suspended due to yellow cards and Vasile Mogoș, another debutant, took his place at left-back.Contrary to the expectations, Romania opened the game courageously, pressuring the Dutch defensive line. That pressure was working really well, given that the Duthcmen couldn’t take the ball out of their half during the first quarter an hour. The Netherlands caught their breath, getting three consecutive corner kicks, which did not bring a chance. However, the very next attack brought the goal! Cody Gakpo got the ball at the left flank, took a touch inside Andrei Rațiu and found the perfect angle for the strike. Truth be said, Romanian goalkeeper Florin Niță should’ve done better at his near post. With this goal, the Liverpool forward became the tournament’s joint-top scorer.Cody Gakpo is now joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals.Of European players, only Kylian Mbappé (9 in 10 games) has scored more goals across the last two major tournaments (2022 World Cup and Euro 2024) than Gakpo (6 in 9 games).#ROUNED #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/KCYNDiYPk2— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 2, 2024 Five minutes after the first, the Oranje could’ve scored a second goal. After Memhpis Depay’s corner, Stefan de Vrij sneaked around the back and made good contact, but he guided his header only into the side netting. The Romanians were leaving too much space at the flanks, resulting in many crosses and corners for the Netherlands, with Denzel Dumfries being the most dangerous Dutch player. Namely, Koeman’s squad had as many as eight corner kicks within the first half an hour!The Netherlands lead Romania at half-time via Cody Gakpo’s third goal of Euro 2024.The Dutch won 10 corners in the first half. Only Sweden (11 vs Italy in 2000) have had more first-half corners in a European Championship match on record (since 1980).#ROUNED #Euro2024 pic.twitter.com/F395D7LCIC— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) July 2, 2024 Romania debutant Mogoș lasted 35 minutes and had to leave the pitch due to an injury he suffered after a duel with Dumfries. Bogdan Racovițan replaced him on the left side. However, that sudden substitution seemed to catch the Romanian unprepared since Inter Milan player stole him the ball and fed Simons, who took too many touches and scuffed a shot wide of the far post. Romania had their only shot on target in the first 45 minutes in added time through Denis Drăguș.With the exception of the first 15 minutes, during which Romania was competitive and left an impression of an offensively oriented team, the Netherlands controlled everything on the pitch in the first half. Dumfries caused a lot of trouble for the opponents, and Depay, Simons, and Gakpo “danced” around the field.Euros are actually SouthEuros: secret ingredient of success is – olive oil!?Bergwijn made his debut at the EURO 2024 but didn’t show much in the first half, and thus Koeman subbed him out, replacing him with Donyell Malen. As for the situation on the pitch, the second half started the same way the first ended – with the Dutch domination. In the 54th minute, we witnessed a “pinball” in Romania’s box. Depay was there, his shot was blocked, the ball deflected a couple of times and eventually ended in Niță’s arms. Three minutes later, after the 11th corner for his team, Virgil Van Dijk’s header hit the post.Romania had to open up and seek the equalizer which left much space for the Dutch counterattacks. After one in the 62nd minute, Gakpo glid up the pitch from inside his own half and decided to finish it on his own, but the Romanian goalie deflected it into a corner, after which the Reds’ player scored again, but VAR disallowed it since Malen was offside. Six minutes later, Depay’s intuitive free kick went under the wall but squirmed wide. The series of Dutch missed opportunities continued 16 minutes before the end. The sub, Joey Veerman, tried to steer the ball into the far corner but missed the target.Someone needs to sit down and talk to this guy. Before it’s too lateFinally, one chance had to be used, and it happened in the 83rd minute. Gakpo superbly kept the ball alive, got to the byline, and found Malen, who easily sent it over the line. This goal definitely sealed Romania’s fate and was a weight off the Dutchmen’s minds. The 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund player scored his second goal of the tournament in added time, finding the bottom corner after a solo effort and setting the final score – 3-0.The Netherlands dominated the game and deservedly advanced to the quarter-final, where they would face the winner of tonight’s duel between Austria and Turkey. On the other hand, Romania disappointed with their disheartened performance and mainly subordinate role. Only five attempts contrary to 24 by the Netherlands depict well enough what we could see in the penultimate round of 16 match.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – 1/8 FINALSSaturdaySwitzerland – Italy 2-0 (1-0)/Freuler 37, Vargas 46/Germany – Denmark 2-0 (0-0)/Havertz 53 pen, Musiala 68/SundayEngland – Slovakia 2-1 (0-1) AET/Bellingham 90+5, Kane 91 – Schranz 25/Spain – Georgia 4-1 (1-1)/Rodri 39, Ruiz 51, Williams 75, Olmo 83 – Le Normand 18 og/MondayFrance – Belgium 1-0 (0-0)/Vertonghen 85 og/Portugal – Slovenia 3-0 on pen (0-0)TuesdayRomania – Netherlands 0-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 20, Malen 83, 90+3/22.00: (1.95) Austria (3.50) Turkey (4.50)***odds are subject to change***
