In a commanding display, the Netherlands surged into the Euro quarterfinals on Tuesday with a 3-0 victory over Romania. This momentous win marks their first advance to the quarterfinals since 2008, a testament to their strategic prowess and attacking dynamism, spearheaded by Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen.
Strong Start and Resilient Finish
While Romania initially controlled the tempo, dominating possession in the first quarter of an hour, the Dutch side gradually asserted dominance. Gakpo, continuing his stellar form in the tournament, netted his third goal, setting the tone for a match that saw the Netherlands maintain two-thirds of possession and record a staggering 24 shots on goal. In contrast, Romania struggled to create significant chances.
Virgil van Dijk, a defensive colossus for the Netherlands, nearly added his name to the score sheet, narrowly missing out with a header that struck the post. His sentiments after the match reflected a combination of satisfaction and introspection. "Very proud, sure, and pleased as well. We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," said van Dijk. He emphasized the team's need to respond following their previous 3-2 loss to Austria. "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."
Strategic Mastery Over Romania
Head coach Ronald Koeman lauded his squad's performance, acknowledging an initial challenge but praising their overall control. "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 noted.
Koeman's tactical preparations paid off as they capitalized on Romania's vulnerabilities identified in their analysis. "We had analysed Romania well. Belgium showed us there was a lot of space to exploit [against Romania]. But it took a long time before we got the second goal," he explained. Nevertheless, Koeman expressed confidence in their defensive performance, underscoring the crucial role of Xavi Simons. "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."
Malen's Late Brilliance
As the match neared its conclusion, Donyell Malen delivered a remarkable display of finishing prowess. His first goal, set up by Gakpo in the 83rd minute, broke Romania's resolve, and he sealed the match with his second during stoppage time. Reflecting on the match, Gakpo expressed collective pride and acknowledged room for improvement. "This was the answer we had to our last performance -- good game, good goals, we played good football."
Heading into their quarterfinal clash against Austria or Turkey in Berlin, Gakpo voiced a balanced sense of accomplishment and vision. "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."
The Netherlands' resurgent form, epitomized by their comprehensive win against Romania, sets the stage for an intriguing quarterfinal encounter. The blend of defensive solidity, attacking flair, and tactical acumen seen on Tuesday will be crucial as they aim to continue their journey in the tournament.