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 0-0 Netherlands, 17 minutes
Stefan de Vrij releases a noise of frustration as he doesn’t quite connect as intended with his header of a Memphis Depay corner. A flick off a Romanian head allows Depay another opportunity, and the delivery is again on point - Nathan Ake matches De Vrij’s lack of proper purchase.
The Dutch look a danger from set pieces, though.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 14 minutes
Just over! A drive inside from Dennis Man, skipping between Cody Gakpo and Jerdy Schouten and then releasing a crisp shot towards the top corner. It bellows in the ear of the goalframe as it goes roaring past with Bert Verbruggen beaten.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 13 minutes
Xavi Simons is playing in the hole beind Memphis Depay, pushing up out of possession to press as a front two at times. You’d think that should give the Netherlands more fizz and pop with the ball, but the Dutch seem desperate to sit deep so far, letting Romania control the tempo.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 11 minutes
The Netherlands, by contrast, are all over the place. Jerdy Schouten has the opportunity to clear his lines but instead dallies, and Bart Verbruggen has to scramble something away having been found with an underhit pass.
At the other end, Memphis Depay is offside as Xavi Simons prods beyond Radu Dragusin.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 9 minutes
Virgil van Dijk is now required to react sharply as Andrei Ratiu and Dennis Man look to work some shapes up te right. A bright first ten minutes from Romania.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 7 minutes
Ianis Hagi returns, now with a protective mesh hat and gauze, and is immediately on the ball, forcing Nathan Ake to scramble across and cut out a darting forward pass.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 6 minutes
Romania are still without Ianis Hagi as play continues, two medics working to stem the flow of claret. The Netherlands thus explore the edges, Xavi Simons found in space and cutting in to release the first effort on goal of the encounter. A faint flick off Andrei Ratiu makes it nice and simple for Florin Nita, 37 tomorrow.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 4 minutes
There are spots of red appearing on Hagi’s shoulder, Dumfries inadvertently catching him slightly nastily on the top of his head. The great Gheorghe watches on, seemingly unconcerned in the stands, as his son is patched up and readied for a return.
Romania 0-0 Netherlands, 2 minutes
Early energy from Romania, pressing high and hard and forcing the Netherlands into a couple of errors in possession. Ianis Hagi very nearly beats Denzel Dumfries to Razvan Mari’s whipped delivery into the box, though takes an elbow to the head for his trouble.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments