Substitute Donyell Malen scored twice and Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of Euro 2024 to help the Netherlands overcome a spirited Romania and reach the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time in 16 years.
Liverpool striker Gakpo opened the scoring with a brilliant finish midway through the first half, cutting inside before unleashing a strike into the bottom corner.
The Netherlands then missed numerous chances but made sure they did not risk paying the price when substitute Malen scored late on from Gakpo’s ball.
Malen then wrapped up an impressive win for the Netherlands, with Romania committing players forward, as he charged towards goal before scoring.
The Netherlands performed significantly better, thanks to early pressure from an enthusiastic Romania, supported by loud and colourful fans.
The Romanians’ early pressure forced their opponents into mistakes and they gave them a scare when Dennis Man shot just over.
But Gakpo’s goal changed the course of the game and they could have taken an even bigger lead just before the break, but Xavi Simons fired wide.
Romania struggled again in the second half, but it was the Netherlands who continued to have the better chances: Memphis Depay failed to score from close range, Virgil van Dijk hit the post with a header and Gakpo’s shot after a deep run was pushed away.
But Malen, a half-time substitute, scored twice in the final ten minutes to avoid any late drama, and the Netherlands can now look ahead to either Turkey or a rematch against group opponents Austria in the quarter-finals.
