Unleashed Dutch storm into the European Championship quarter-finals
The Dutch team goes into the lead in the Europa Championship football match against Romania in the quarterfinals. Trainer Ronald Koeman's squad scores the first goal early on, but then gives away chance after chance. The determined Romans couldn't capitalize, and a Borussia Dortmund star ultimately decides the outcome.
With unleashed offensive power, the Netherlands stormed into the Europa Championship quarterfinals. Near the site of their biggest and only triumph, the European Champion of 1988 brushed aside overworked Romans in a convincing 3:0 (1:0) victory. However, the Dutch team had to face criticism for not deciding the entertaining game in Munich's Allianz Arena much earlier and more clearly after Cody Gakpo's goal (18.). Only Donyell Malen (83., 90.+3) from Borussia Dortmund put an end to all doubts.
Under the mostly sovereign leadership of referee Felix Zwayer (Berlin), the Dutch team turned things around after a stormy first quarter-hour from the Romans and played themselves into a frenzy at times. For the Dutch, the journey continues from Munich, where they had won the European Championship final against Russia in 1988 (2:0). The opponent in Berlin on Saturday (21.00 CET) is Austria, as it was in the group stage.
The Dutch team stumbled through the group stage, finishing third after a 2:3 loss against Austria and behind Ralf Rangnick's team and the unconvincing French. Their EM record was not promising either: they hadn't made it to the quarterfinals since 2008. And at first, they struggled against the Romans.
Early exchange, then control
The "Tricolorii" started boldly and recklessly, and shed blood in the process. Ianis Hagi, son of the icon Gheorghe Hagi, wore a headband after a collision with Denzel Dumfries just four minutes in - a visual testament to their unwillingness to hold back. Trainer Eduard Iordanescu, son of the legendary coach Anghel Iordanescu, drove his team with equal passion.
Ronald Koeman, the Dutch coach, watched almost impassively as his team got embroiled in a lively exchange and almost fell behind through Denis Dragus and Dennis Man within a few seconds (14.). But just as the Dutch team had overcome the Romanian opening offensive, Gakpo scored. He took advantage of a positional error by goalkeeper Florin Nita.
The goal calmed the Dutch team, giving them security and control, and they created chance after chance: Radu Dragusin, for example, saved in the highest pressure situation from Memphis Depay (31.). The standout player in this action was Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
Malen scores late
The Romans had clearly planned to score early and then counterattack. The goal disrupted their plan. The men in yellow barely came out of their own half, as the Dutch team pressed for a second goal - but they couldn't quite keep up due to too much recklessness.
Dutch fans in Hulle had chances in full. Xavi Simons of RB Leipzig (44.). Or Depay (54.). Or Virgil van Dijk, who only hit the post (58.). Or Gakpo after a sprint across almost the entire field (62.). Or the substitute Joey Veerman (72.). A goal from Gakpo was taken back by VAR Bastian Dankert due to offside (63). And so the team had to tremble until almost the end - until Malen finally justified his role as joker.
The Dutch team's victory over Romania in the European Championships quarterfinals marks their return to form, having struggled in the group stage. In the upcoming match against Austria in the semifinals, they will aim to continue their European Football Championship 2024 journey, with Romania setting their sights on the next European Championships.
Despite Romanian forward Ianis Hagi's bravery, the Netherlands managed to regain control of the game following Cody Gakpo's goal, outplaying their opponents in the second half and relying on Donyell Malen's late-game heroics to secure their spot in the semifinals.
