Benefiting from a lucky draw within the spherical of 16, and much more so from their place as third within the group, the Netherlands group regained their depth, restored their conviction and emerged because the unbeatable winners of their duel towards Romania, deactivated by Cody Gakpo’s aim, which marked the seen distinction between the 2 groups with 0-1, elevated within the closing moments by Donyell Malen’s double.
The hole on the scoreboard was even shorter than on the pitch, which was the area of the Dutch group from the primary aim to the top, with sufficient possibilities, particularly within the second half, to have gone a lot additional within the figures, by no means permitting their opponent to react and rediscovering a model far more according to the gamers and the group they’ve at their disposal in Germany 2024.
The match lasted 20 minutes. Romania was energetic, urgent, daring, with the ambition to problem itself with its personal historical past, with the legendary Gica Hagi as a witness, with a few actions that have been greater than worrying for Vebruggen, however it remained simply that; as quickly because the Netherlands imposed the standard of its most in-form participant and its finest scorer: Gakpo, already with three targets within the match.
He had already drawn up his plan. His goal was to face Andrei Ratiu one-on-one. He introduced it the day earlier than and made it concrete on the open floor that he discovered on a number of events. He outflanked him to take a place and launch his proper foot with which he relaunched the Netherlands, after the previous couple of days of stress, criticism and dialog.
It was the twentieth minute. His highly effective shot, very shut, 121 kilometres per hour and travelling simply six metres, was out of Nita’s attain, though the ball went to the close to publish, his personal, however with sufficient energy and positioning to beat it, with none apparent fault on the a part of the goalkeeper. The aim, 0-1, was the start of the top for Romania.
The Netherlands took management of the match. With and with out the ball. In each sector, they emerged superior, with far more outlined concepts, aside from the distinction in expertise already assumed and evident from the second that Euro 2024 introduced them collectively within the spherical of 16, though Romania appeared like they have been first in Group E and their rival emerged as third in Group D.
With Ianis Hagi bandaged up and Mogos out of motion after being substituted with a head harm, each instances because of the impression with Dumfries, the Dutch aspect managed virtually every part. In addition they created extra. Memphis missed the goal on two events, certainly one of them with a transparent shot on the sting of the six-yard field through which he failed to regulate, whereas Dragusin got here to the rescue of each misstep by the uncovered and susceptible Romanian defence. Then he missed the 0-2, already within the closing stretch.
There was the change that Koeman needed. In angle, in depth, in assault, in defence, in midfield. The Dutch group utilized themselves far more of their second and final alternative within the match. Understanding the frustration of the 2-3 towards Austria, the lesson appears to have been discovered by the Dutch group, who insisted and insisted, already with choices to even rating a aim.
Within the fifty fifth minute, the lead was greater than quick. As a result of Memphis missed, as a result of Van Dijk hit the publish with a header, as a result of Gakpo tried his hand at a brace, denied by the goalkeeper, however all inside the unmistakable feeling that Sunday was so overwhelming that the decision was solely a matter of time and strike, subdued because it was by Romania, whose attacking performs have been extra of an journey than an actual proposition.
An enormous distinction, solely restricted within the end result by Nita’s saves, the Dutch’s personal lack of inefficiency and the centimetres that Gakpo was too far forward (and detected by the VAR) for his aim disallowed after the hour mark in Munich. The Netherlands couldn’t even make it 2-0 on the rebound, till Gakpo invented the aim with a again go to Malen and authorized the victory, enlarged once more by Malen on the counterattack. Within the quarter-finals, Austria or Turkey.
