Gakpo, Malen star as Netherlands oust Romania to make last eight

Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of Euro 2024 as the Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 in Munich to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2008.

Gakpo’s first-half strike gave Ronald Koeman’s side a deserved lead before the Liverpool man did wonderfully to set up substitute Donyell Malen to tap home late on and double their lead.

As Romania pressed for a consolation, Borussia Dortmund winger Malen was able to counter and score his second of the game deep into added time with a superb solo run.

It was a thoroughly-deserved victory for the Netherlands who dominated throughout and created several chances despite moments of pressure from Edward Iordanescu’s side.

After an underwhelming group stage, the Dutch will take plenty from this performance ahead of their meeting with either Turkey or Austria in the last eight in Berlin on Saturday.

Gakpo broke the deadlock for the Dutch midway through the opening period as he cut in from the left-hand side before beating Florin Nita at his near post.

Koeman’s side went close to doubling their lead on several occasions most notably through headers from centre-backs Stefan de Vrij and Virgil van Dijk with the latter flicking the outside of the post in the second half.

With Gakpo having a goal ruled out, it looked as if they were going to have to settle for just the one but in the 83rd minute the winger stole possession high up the pitch before beating Radu Dragusin on the outside and somehow keeping it in play to tee up Malen to tap home.

As the game entered the third minute of added time, Malen picked it up on the half way line and carried it to the edge of the box before cutting in and firing home for his second in 10 minutes to round off a brilliant team performance.

Romania started both halves positively pressing the Netherlands high but found themselves eventually being penned in and struggling to create anything of note with the Dutch finding a lot of joy through Denzel Dumfries down their right-hand side.

Koeman and his players will be keeping an eye on events unfolding at the Leipzig Stadium as Austria, who beat the Netherlands in the group stage, take on Turkey for a place in the quarter final against the Dutch in four days’ time.

Throughout an underwhelming group stage it was perhaps Cody Gakpo that was the silver lining for the Dutch following his two goals in three games.

While the performance of the team was much stronger on Tuesday from back to front, it was the Liverpool forward who once again stood out.

His ability to cut in from the left and fire home clinically with his right foot is becoming his trademark finish and it was this that broke the deadlock for the Netherlands.

Now joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals, the winger was threatening throughout and went close to doubling his tally on several occasions.

His assist for Malen late on exemplified his other qualities with his industry, composure and quality on the ball all on show as he made the goal that put the game out of reach of Romania.

Despite Malen’s late double, Gakpo’s opening goal and wonderful assist made this one an easy choice. He is quickly becoming the star man in this side.

Romania: Nita 5; Taiu 6, Dragusin 8, Burca 6 Mogos 5; M.Marin 6; Hagi 7, R.Marin 6, Stanciu 7, Man 6; Dragus 6. Subs: Racovitan 4, Alibev, 5, Mihaila 5, Cicauldau 6, Olaru N/A.

Netherlands: Verbruggen 6; Dumfries 8, De Vrij 7, van Dijk 6, Ake 7; Reijnders 7, Schouten 7, Simons 8; Bergwijn 5, Depay 7, Gakpo 9*. Subs: Malen 8, van de Ven 7, Veerman 6, Weghorst 5, Blind N/A.

20′ – GOAL! ROMANIA 0-1 NETHERLANDS (Cody Gakpo): It’s a third goal of the tournament for Cody Gakpo who receives the ball from Simons on the left-hand side. He cuts in and strikes a low effort past Nita at the near post.

30′ – HUGE CHANCE FOR DE VRIJ: Depay plays the corner to the back post and de Vrij has to score! The defender looks to head it in at the near post but it goes just wide. A huge chance for two.

61′ – VAN DIJK HITS THE POST: The corner comes in from the right and van Dijk rises highest to have almost a free header. He looks to head it down into the near post but it flicks off the upright and behind.

63′ – CODY GAKPO GOAL RULED OUT: Gakpo has the ball in the back of the net but there is a VAR check for offside. Ake had flicked it on to Gakpo who prods home but he was quite clearly in an offside position.

83′ – GOAL! ROMANIA 0-2 NETHERLANDS (Donyell Malen): Gakpo nicks it as Romania look to clear before beating Dragusin on the outside and doing excellently to keep it in play on the byline. He manages to tee it back to Malen who has an empty net to strike home.

90+3′ – GOAL! ROMANIA 0-3 NETHERLANDS (Donyell Malen): Malen brings it all the way to the edge of the area before cutting in past the Romanian defenders and finishing clinically at the near post.