The Netherlands showcased their footballing prowess with a commanding 3-0 victory over Romania in their round of 16 encounter on Tuesday, propelling them into the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008. The win comes as a significant uplift following their narrow 3-2 defeat to Austria in the previous match.
Gakpo Shines Again
Cody Gakpo continued his stellar form, netting his third goal of the tournament. His consistent performance has been a linchpin for the Dutch side, and he was instrumental in maintaining the attacking momentum throughout the match. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football," said Gakpo, reflecting on the team's bounce-back effort.
Malen's Late Brilliance
While Romania managed to control the tempo for the first 15 minutes, the Netherlands eventually seized control, maintaining two-thirds of the possession and recording nearly five times more attempts on goal than their opponents, with a total of 24 shots. Donyell Malen emerged as the late-game hero, scoring twice in the closing stages to seal the match. His first goal came in the 83rd minute, courtesy of a setup by Gakpo, and he added another in stoppage time.
Defensive Solidity
Central to the Netherlands' triumph was their defensive solidity, as pointed out by captain Virgil van Dijk. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," Van Dijk remarked. The Liverpool defender's near-miss with a header that struck the post epitomized the team's resiliency and hunger for victory.
Head coach Ronald Koeman echoed Van Dijk's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of the defensive display. "I wasn't scared they'd equalise because we defended so well. I thought Xavi Simons was our best player too, he drove the team forward and was nice and aggressive," Koeman stated, lauding Simons' impactful performance.
Response to Criticism
Post-match, Van Dijk acknowledged the criticism following their previous outing and highlighted the team's determination to prove themselves. "We could have scored a lot more. After a turbulent week, where a lot was said, we had to show something and we did that. We are self-critical and we knew it had to be a lot better after the last game and everyone had to take responsibility and today they showed they wanted to," he explained.
Koeman also reflected on the progression from their last game. "I thought there were a lot of good things we did. The team realised that the last game was really bad in all aspects and so they have given out a strong message. We played well in the whole game, except the first 10 minutes when there was a lot of pressure," he mentioned. The strategic adjustment and prepared mindset were evident on the field.
Quarterfinals Await
As the clock winds down to the quarterfinals, the Dutch contingent looks forward to their clash against either Austria or Turkey, scheduled for Saturday in Berlin. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest as the Netherlands aim to sustain their newfound form.
The players and coaching staff are acutely aware that improvement is critical. "Of course we could do better but a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction. We felt we were in control even though they were a dangerous opponent," Gakpo concluded.
With solid performances like these, the Oranje are poised and ready to make a significant mark on the championships, reignited by their impressive victory over Romania.