EURO 2024 round of 16 fixtures Result: Romania 0-3 Netherlands

The Netherlands defeated Romania handily in Munich to advance to the EURO quarter finals for the first time in sixteen years.

Gakpo’s attempt seemed to calm Orange’s concerns. With Steven Bergwijn, who was making his first start in Germany, offering a great outlet down the Netherlands’ right side, they steadily took the lead as the half went on. It would not have come as a surprise if the Netherlands had scored twice before halftime, but Denzel Dumfries had dispossessed Bogdan Racoviţan close to the byline, and Xavi Simons could not direct his effort on goal.

Nine minutes into the second half, Memphis Depay nearly doubled the Netherlands’ lead, only for some desperate defense from Racoviţan and Andrei Rațiu. Soon after, Virgil van Dijk had his soaring header go past of Florin Niță’s left-hand post due to the woodwork, and the Romanian goalkeeper then made a leaping save to push another Gakpo drive wide.

Joey Veerman sidefooted beyond the far post and Depay’s free kick went just wide, but Gakpo set up replacement Donyell Malen for a close-range goal, giving Koeman’s team the goal their second-half domination deserved. The Dutch, who will play either Austria or Türkiye in the round of eight, finished with a low finish after Malen doubled his own goal in stoppage time.

Important Statistic

This was the first victory for the Netherlands in four European Cup knockout games since they defeated Sweden on penalties shootout in the 2004 quarterfinals.
The Netherlands’ lone goal in the first half of their past six EURO knockout games came via Gakpo’s attempt.
Malen is the first Dutch player to score as a substitute in a European Champions League match.
Simons, who is 21 years and 72 days old, is the youngest starter to assist for the Netherlands in a EURO quarterfinal match.
The only victory Romania has ever had over the Netherlands is a 1-0 home triumph during EURO 2008 qualification in October 2007.
The Tricolorii had only lost three of their previous 19 games (W8 D8).
The 1988 final was the last time the Netherlands played in Munich for the EURO finals, although in a different stadium.