The Netherlands triumphed decisively over Romania with a 3-0 victory in their round of 16 clash on Tuesday, securing their first advance to the Euro quarterfinals since 2008. This victory comes as a much-needed boost after their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Austria in the previous match.
A Strong Team Performance
Netherlands showcased a dominant performance, maintaining two-thirds of possession and delivering almost five times more attempts on goal than Romania, with a total of 24 shots. The match's momentum was set early on, despite Romania's control over the tempo in the first quarter of the game. "We could have scored a lot more," admitted Virgil van Dijk, reflecting on the numerous opportunities created by the squad.
Gakpo and Malen Shine
Cody Gakpo, who has been one of the standout players of the tournament, scored his third goal, setting the stage for the comprehensive victory. Donyell Malen's late double sealed the match, leaving no room for a Romanian comeback. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football," stated Gakpo, emphasizing the team's determination to rebound from their prior setback.
Gakpo's influence was significant throughout the match, particularly when he set up Malen for his first goal in the 83rd minute. Malen's second goal, coming in stoppage time, was the final nail in the coffin for Romania.
A Defensive Masterclass
Despite the offensive prowess on display, the Netherlands also demonstrated exceptional defensive solidarity. Virgil van Dijk himself almost added to the scoreline with a header that struck the post, but his primary focus was on the team's defensive resilience. "We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," he noted. The defensive effort was a stark contrast to their previous outing against Austria, and van Dijk highlighted the squad's commitment to improvement: "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."
Coaching and Strategy
Head coach Ronald Koeman praised his team's performance and the efforts of key players. "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," he said. Koeman acknowledged the pressure the team faced in the first 10 minutes but was pleased with how they adapted and executed their strategy.
"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," Koeman added. His analysis paid off as the Netherlands controlled the game and neutralized Romania's threats effectively. Koeman singled out Xavi Simons for special praise: "I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too, he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive."
Looking Forward
With their place in the quarterfinals secured, the Netherlands now turn their attention to their next challenge in Berlin, where they will face either Austria or Turkey on Saturday. Gakpo, reflecting on the match, said, "Of course we could do better, but a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction." His comments mirror the sentiment of a team confident in their capabilities yet aware of the continuous need for growth and improvement.
The upcoming match promises to be another test of their resilience and tactical acumen. However, with key players hitting peak form and a defense proving its mettle, the Netherlands look poised to make a significant impact as the tournament progresses.