Netherlands reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals with dominant victory over Romania

The Netherlands beat Romania 3-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2024 on Tuesday afternoon, booking their spot in the quarter-finals.

The Oranje haven't always wowed at this summer's tournament but offered their strongest display to date against a resilient Romania side. A second-half brace from Donyell Malen put some gloss on the scoreline following a dominant performance.

Romania made a bright start in Munich and looked the more confident side in the opening stages, but still found themselves a goal down within 20 minutes. Cody Gakpo, who had scored twice at Euro 2024 already, fired the Dutch in front with a fierce near-post effort. 36-year-old goalkeeper Florin Nita should have done better.

Stefan de Vrij almost doubled the Netherlands' advantage just six minutes later but his far-post header scraped the side-netting. If it wasn't for Radu Dragusin's excellent intervention, Memphis Depay would have also had a tap-in as Ronald Koeman's side began to flex their attacking muscles.

After a shaky start, the 1988 European champions had firmly taken a grip of proceedings. Entering the break, they had racked up seven shots and ten corners, with Xavi Simons spurning an excellent chance to press home their advantage moments before the break following a defensive error.

The Netherlands continued to dominate after the break and were left wondering how they hadn't netted a second shortly after the restart. Romania threw body after body in the way as the ball ricocheted around the penalty area, with Depay wasting the best chance to convert from close range.

Virgil van Dijk was next to trouble the Romania goal as his header from a corner grazed the outside of the post, with his Liverpool teammate Gakpo putting the ball in the back of the net shortly afterwards only for VAR to rule his effort out for offside.

However, the Netherlands eventually bagged a clinching second. Some excellent work from Gakpo down the left flank set up half-time substitute Malen, who tapped home from close range. Having scored an own goal last time out, he opened his Euro 2024 account at the right end with seven minutes to play.

The Borussia Dortmund attacker swiftly doubled his tally by adding his side's third in stoppage-time. A powerful run on the counter-attack was followed by an excellent finish to cap a strong Netherlands performance.

The Netherlands will face the winner of Austria's meeting with Turkey in the quarter-final of Euro 2024.

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