Gakpo stars as Oranje cruise through to quarter-finals

Cody Gakpo scored one and made one because the Netherlands eased into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a win over Romania in Munich that was way more convincing than the scoreline suggests.

Gakpo completed a beautiful, flowing transfer after 20 minutes to hitch Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala and Ivan Schranz because the main contenders for the Golden Boot with three objectives within the event.

The Liverpool man then equipped Donyell Malen for the Netherlands’ second late on, and the Borussia Dortmund ahead grabbed a 3rd in injury-time, as they arrange a conflict with Austria or Turkey on Saturday.

𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒! 🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/E3KB9t9FKE

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) July 2, 2024

It led to a snug win however the scoreline, if not the stability of play, was tight for the majority of the sport as the Dutch have been repeatedly denied a second purpose by way of poor ending and a few heroic Romania defending.

It was the one criticism you possibly can stage on the Oranje after a powerful efficiency that can do a lot to revive their self-belief after they might solely handle a third-placed end in Group D.

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Romania began nicely however light

Romania, roared by a big assist clad in yellow, began brightly, exhibiting loads of confidence as they pressed the Dutch again into their very own half.

Bart Verbruggen was not known as into any critical motion, although, with the closest Romania coming to a purpose being a Dennis Man shot that whistled inches over the goalkeeper’s bar.

The Netherlands had provided little going ahead once they lastly strung some passes collectively in a pleasant transfer that culminated in them taking the lead.

Jerdy Schouten performed by way of the traces to Xavi Simons who, in flip, picked out Gakpo hugging the left touchline. The Liverpool ahead reduce inside and fired a robust shot that beat Florin Nita at his close to put up.

What a purpose by Cody Gakpo!!! 😲#BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/bqLnTHvvvI

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 2, 2024

Ronald Koeman’s males dominated the rest of the half however have been unable so as to add to their benefit.

Stefan De Vrij must have made it 2-0 5 minutes later however headed Memphis Depay’s left-wing nook broad having discovered area on the far put up.

Romania have been struggling to deal with the marauding Denzel Dumfries and the recalled Steven Bergwijn down their left with first-choice full-back Nicusor Bancu suspended and his substitute Vasile Mogos lasting 38 minutes earlier than having to depart following a conflict of heads.

The disruption to the Romania defence was evident and the Netherlands virtually capitalised two minutes earlier than the break. Substitute Bogdan Racovitan dallied too lengthy, Dumfries nipped in and pulled the ball again for Simons however the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder took too lengthy and his delayed shot drifted harmlessly broad.

One-way visitors within the second half

Romania began the second interval in constructive trend however they have been nonetheless inclined to the counter assault and the Dutch virtually capitalised.

Dumfries escaped down the correct for the umpteenth time and though his cross was too highly effective for substitute Malen – on instead of Bergwijn at half-time – the ball fell kindly on the toes of Depay six yards out. He appeared sure to attain however Andrei Ratiu received throughout shortly to make a superb, goal-saving problem.

The Netherlands couldn’t discover that killer second purpose with Virgil van Dijk the following to come back shut with a downward header after 58 minutes that clipped the surface of the put up and went broad.

Nita saved nicely to disclaim Gakpo after a surging run from inside his personal half with Romania persevering with to journey their luck, Gakpo seeing a purpose dominated out for a slim offside shortly after the hour mark and Depay firing a free-kick inches broad.

Joey Veerman, dragged off after 35 minutes and publicly criticised by Koeman after the defeat to Austria, virtually redeemed himself with a low shot that crept broad earlier than the stress lastly informed with seven minutes to go.

Gakpo received the higher of Radu Dragusin on the byline and squared for Malen, who tapped into the empty internet.

Donyell Malen doubles their lead!

The Netherlands are heading into the quarter-finals 🔜 #BBCEuros #Euro2024 #ROUNED pic.twitter.com/4IjGvPx8Gn

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 2, 2024

Malen then ran clear on the counter so as to add a 3rd as Romania’s resistance crumbled.