Malen Doubles Up As Netherlands Beat Romania To Reach Euro 2024 Quarters

The Netherlands stormed into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Romania, thanks to a stellar performance by Donyell Malen and Cody Gakpo. This victory marks the first time the Netherlands have reached the Euro quarter-finals since 2008, signaling a potential return to form for the team on the European stage.

Cody Gakpo opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the 20th minute with a powerful low shot that found the back of the net at Florin Nita's near post. This goal was Gakpo's third in the tournament, continuing his impressive form. The Dutch, who faced heavy criticism for their defensive lapses in a 3-2 loss to Austria in their final group game, showcased a much-improved performance. They controlled the match with two-thirds of the possession and created nearly five times more chances than their Romanian counterparts.

Donyell Malen sealed the victory with two late goals, underscoring the Netherlands' dominance. Malen's first goal came in the 81st minute, and he added his second just five minutes later, ensuring the team's advance to the quarter-finals. Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch captain, led a solid defensive display, highlighted by his near-miss header that struck the post. The Dutch defense remained composed throughout the match, a stark contrast to their previous outing. Gakpo also had a second goal disallowed for offside, demonstrating the relentless pressure the Netherlands maintained on Romania.