Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of the European Championship and Donyell Malen added two more late on as the Dutch burst back into form with a lively display to defeat Romania 3-0 in their last-16 fixture on Tuesday.
They had been lambasted by their media and fans for a poor defensive display in their final group game, a 3-2 loss to Austria, but were more composed and in control as they reach the Euro quarterfinals for the first time since 2008.
The Dutch started slowly at the Munich Football Arena as underdogs Romania — roared on by their yellow-clad supporters -controlled the ball for the first quarter of an hour before the Netherlands slowly started to get a grip on the match.
They broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when player of the match Gakpo fired low past Florin Nita at the keeper’s near post before Malen’s late double clinched a quarterfinal berth and will play either Austria or Turkey in Berlin on Saturday.
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“This was the answer we had to our last performance – good game, good goals, we played good football,” Gakpo said.
“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.”
Gakpo was a menace all night and turned provider for Malen’s first goal in the 83rd minute when he kept the ball in play on the touchline and knocked it across the box for an easy tap in.
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