Sovereign Oranje advances to quarter-finals

Cody Gakpo and double-packer Donyell Malen led the Netherlands into their first European Championship quarter-final in 16 years after much criticism from home.

July 02, 2024

From: dpa/tu

The outstanding striker from Liverpool FC Cody Gakpo (20th minute) and the substitute from Dortmund Malen (83rd and 90th+3) let the Elftal celebrate with their goals on Tuesday in Munich after the 3-0 (1-0) victory against the passionate underdog Romania.

In the city where the Netherlands won its only title 36 years ago, national coach Ronald Koeman was pleased with the dominant performance and ultimately the safe progress despite the initial lack of chances. On the way to the dream of a second European Championship title, his team will face Austria or Turkey in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Berlin.

Individual performance ensures 1-0

Gakpo had described the start of the knockout rounds a week after the sobering 2:3 defeat against Austria as the beginning of a new tournament - and the 25-year-old led the way with his goal. After a fine individual effort, he shot from around twelve meters. The ball hit Romanian goalkeeper Florin Nita's near post at 121 km/h. Gakpo has scored three goals in the tournament. The attacker provided the assist for the decisive 2:0.

Cody Gakpo scored the 1-0. © ANSA / FRIEDEMANN VOGEL

After a brave opening phase in which the Eastern Europeans briefly posed problems for the Netherlands with their energetic pressing, there was no longer much danger after Gakpo's effective goal. Almost exactly 30 years to the day after the Romanians' great success with Anghel Iordanescu as coach in the World Cup round of XNUMX against Argentina, his son Edward Iordanescu was denied a similar tournament coup as coach.

Double painting

The Dutch appeared in front of the Romanian goal far more often. However, the ten corners in the first half alone did not result in the goal that national coach Koeman had hoped for. Xavi Simons, who is considered a candidate for FC Bayern, also failed miserably in what could be his future home stadium. The 21-year-old spent too long thinking about how he was going to finish in front of the goal. The result was a rolling ball that went wide of the goal (44').

Donyell Malen guaranteed the victory for the Oranje. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

After the Elftal had missed the chance to make it 2-0 before the break, the tension remained high after the break. The underdog fought against being eliminated from the European Championship. As in the first half, the Netherlands repeatedly lacked precision in the final moments. Or Nita saved, as in the case of Gakpo's long-range shot (62').
In the final phase, with several opportunities for Oranje, Dortmund's Malen scored twice. In the stands, thousands of Dutch fans cheered about their entry into the quarter-finals.