The Netherlands secured a rousing and comfortable win over Romania at the Fußball Arena in Munich, Germany.
The Oranje got their solitary goal in the 20th minute, with Cody Gakpo driving into the box from the left following a pass from Unai Simon.
Gakpo’s subsequent cracking hit arrowed past Romanian goalie Florin Nita at the near post and it sent fans of the Netherlands into frenzy.
Romania chose to be conservative for the most part of the game, with the Netherlands being on the front foot for the majority of the encounter.
Spurs defender Dragusin was impressive for Eduard Lordanescu’s side as he thwarted many of the attacking moves made by the Dutch assemblage.
Unfortunately for Romania, they were pushed to make a forced substitution in the first 45, with Bogdan Racovitan coming on for Vasile Mogos, who picked up a knock minutes before he was withdrawn in the 38th minute.
Eduard’s side had an opportunity to get back on level terms in the 3rd minute of added time in the first period, as Man switched a brilliant ball from the right to Hagi.
Hagi brought the ball under control before driving at the Dutch backline and afterward sending a low cross into the area, which was brilliantly sorted by the Netherlands.
Romania Posed No Real Threat To The Netherlands
The Netherlands went into the break leading and it was evident that there was a gulf in quality between the two sides.
Donyell Malen came in to replace Steven Bergwijn for the second duration, with the Dutch asserting their dominance for most of it.
Three minutes before the hour mark, Reijnders Tijjani showed some trickery to go past players of Romania, before smashing an effort at goal which went wide.
In the 62nd minute, goalie Nita pulled a brilliant save to deny a power attempt from Cody Gakpo.
The Dutchman momentarily netted his second of the evening two minutes later, guiding the ball into the back of the net after Malen had knocked down a cross.
However, the goal was chalked off for offside.
Joey Veerman replaced Jerdy Schouten in the 69th minute, while manager Ronald Koeman also introduced Micky van de Ven for Nathan Ake.
Romania made three alterations in the 72nd minute, with Valentin Mihaila coming on for Denis Dragus, while Denis Albec entered the fray for Ianis Hagi.
Alexandru Cicaldau also got some minutes under his belt, as he was brought on in place of Marius Marin.
Donyell Malen Secured Brace Late On Against Romania
The Oranje continued to mount pressure on Romania in the last stages of the game and it paid off as they got two extra goals through winger Donyell Malen.
Malen atoned for his errors in the Netherlands last Euro 2024 group game against Austria, having put the ball into his own net.
In the 83rd minute, Cody Gakpo sent a pass to Donyell Malen following a battle with Dragusen, with the Borussia Dortmund man converting comfortably.
Wout Weghorst also came on for Cody Gakpo 6 minutes before the end of the affair, while Romania brought on Darius Olaru for Nicolae Stanciu.
Ronald Koeman’s final change in the game involved Daley Blind and Memphis Depay, as he sent on the former for the latter.
Malen secured his brace for the evening in the 3rd minute of added time, converting an opportunity sublimely from inside the box, with youngster Xavi Simons providing the assist.
The Netherlands progress into the last 8 (quarter-finals) where they will face either Austria or Turkey, who play later by 08:00 PM (WAT).
