The Netherlands progressed to their first Euro quarterfinal since 2008 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 matchup on Tuesday. The win came after a challenging week and a disappointing previous game but showcased the Dutch team's resilience and capability.
Early Control by Romania
Romania began the match determined and controlled the tempo during the opening fifteen minutes. Despite this early pressure, the Dutch defense remained unmoved, with Virgil van Dijk and his backline standing firm.
Dominant Dutch Possession
As the game unfolded, the Netherlands began to assert their dominance, maintaining two-thirds of the possession and recording an impressive 24 attempts on goal, nearly five times more than their Romanian counterparts. Cod Gakpo opened the scoring, notching his third goal of the tournament and setting the stage for a dominant display.
Late Goals Seal the Win
Despite their control, the second goal proved elusive until the final minutes. Donyell Malen ensured there was no doubt about the outcome, scoring twice late in the match. In the 83rd minute, Cody Gakpo set up Malen for his first, followed by a second goal in stoppage time, securing a comprehensive victory for the Dutch side.
Van Dijk's Reflections
Virgil van Dijk expressed his pride and satisfaction with the team's performance. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," he said. Reflecting on the lead-up to the match, 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."
Koeman's Tactical Insights
Head coach Ronald Koeman also highlighted the significant improvement from their previous performance. "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," Koeman noted. Discussing their strategy against Romania, he shared, "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."
Praising individual performances, Koeman particularly emphasized the contribution of Xavi Simons, stating, "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."
Gakpo's Perspective
Cody Gakpo, a key figure in the team's offensive efforts, shared his views on the match. "This was the answer we had to our last performance--good game, good goals, we played good football." He echoed the sentiment of a needed improvement, adding, "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."
Looking Ahead
With this triumphant performance, the Netherlands have secured their place in the quarterfinals. Their next challenge will be against either Austria or Turkey, with the match set to take place in Berlin on Saturday. Fans will be hoping for a repeat of the steadfast defense and clinical finishing that characterized their victory over Romania.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Netherlands, as they aim to build upon their success and make a deep run in the tournament, driven by a blend of seasoned talent and rising stars.