Romania v Netherlands LIVE: Result and final score as Donyell Malen seals Euro 2024 quarter-final place
Netherlands were too good as they saw off Romania in a 3-0 win
A much-improved Netherlands saw off Romania to book their place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.
Cody Gakpo fired in a powerful opening goal and Donyell Malen’s second-half double clinched the 3-0 victory.
The Dutch will now play either Austria or Turkey in the quarter-finals in Berlin on Saturday. Austria produced a brilliant performance to beat Netherlands 3-2 in the group stage.
Follow the reaction from the Allianz Arena in the blog below.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 47 minutes
Just as in the first half, the Netherlands are sloppy to start, a poor pass forcing Stefan de Vrij to lunge in on Nicolae Stanciu and concede a free kick.
Second half...
Intriguing - a half-time change from Ronald Koeman. Steven Bergwijn was relatively quiet in the first 45 mintues with Denzel Dumfries the more prominent participant on the right, and Donyell Malen is on in Bergwijn’s place.
HT: Romania 0-1 Netherlands
Romania began the brighter but it ended firmly the Netherlands’ half, Cody Gakpo’s well-taken finish currently plotting a course into the quarter-finals. The Dutch defence had to weather an early storm and didn’t necessarily batten the hatches particularly effectively, but those further ahead grew as the half wore on to regularly threaten Florin Nita’s goal. There was plenty in there to encourage both sides, though, and suggest there could well be more goals to come.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 45 + 3 minutes
Van Dijk then concedes a corner, but strong defensive headers from both he and Stefan de Vrij ensure that the Netherlands make it to Felix Zwayer’s half-time peeping without concession.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 45 + 2 minutes
Into three additional minutes. Virgil van Dijk makes a rare error, coughing up possession inside his own half. Denis Dragus eschews a couple of passing possibilities to eager team mates to fire on goal, though Bart Verbruggen need not move to pat it down and collect.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 44 minutes
Big chance! Bogdan Racovitan is pickpocketed by the impressive Denzel Dumfries having lost control of the flock while attempting to shepherd out of play. Dumfries tees up Xavi Simons, but the youngster takes a touch or two too many before poking a poor effort wide.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 43 minutes
Memphis Depay tries something extravagant, attempting to bend the corner back on itself with the outside of his boot from the right with Florin Nita a few yards off his line and the goal exposed. The connection is sweet enough, but the angle and amplitude aren’t quite so nice.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 42 minutes
Denzel Dumfries certanly gives the Netherlands greater attacking thrust up the right touchline. He wins a 10th Dutch corner of the evening.
Romania 0-1 Netherlands, 40 minutes
Xavi Simons shows off some flicks and flair, conjuring a rabona that is blocked behind before some fancy footwork up the left touchline. He and Cody Gakpo are interchanging intelligently.
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