Donyell Malen brace helps Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 to book Euro 2024 quarterfinals spot

Oranje will face either Austria or Turkey in last eight.

Netherlands defeated Romania 3-0 in the round of 16 Euro 2024 games on Tuesday with goals from Cody Gakpo, who scored his third goal of the European Championship, and Donyell Malen, who contributed two more goals in the closing minutes.

The Dutch had greater control and possession as they advanced to the Euro quarterfinals for their first appearance since 2008. They had been criticised by their supporters and media for a subpar defensive performance in their last group match, a 3-2 loss to Austria.

Gakpo’s low, angled strike beat goalkeeper Florin Nita’s near post to give them the lead after 20 minutes and Malen’s late brace served to set up a quarterfinal match on Saturday in Berlin against either Austria or Turkey, who face later on Tuesday.

To highlight their dominance, Netherlands had nearly five times more opportunities and two-thirds of control throughout the match. Virgil van Dijk struck the post with a header and Gakpo had an additional attempt disallowed for offside.

Memphis Depay had stated before the knockout stages that the competition “starts now” for Netherlands. He proved to be decisively correct in the face of a resolute but constrained Romania team.

Cody Gakpo was the star player for the Netherlands, who has the passing triangles, deft mobility, and inventive offensive play.

The Liverpool winger is the player with the most goals netted in this competition and he also contributed the most to sparking the Dutch assault in Munich.

A brilliant assist followed a furious effort, and Gakpo even came within a hair’s breadth of scoring one of the greatest goals of the European Championship, racing from the outside of his own penalty area and then coming near at the other end.

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