Euro 2024: Netherlands hit their best form to reach first quarter-final in 16 years

After Cody Gakpo opener, Donyell Malen scores twice to see off Romania

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Netherlands’ Donyell Malen celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal in Munich. Photo: AP

Associated Press

Published: 3:26am, 3 Jul 2024Updated: 11:36am, 3 Jul 2024

The Netherlands could be peaking at just the right time.

The Dutch team reached their first European Championship quarter final in 16 years with a 3-0 win over Romania on Tuesday after their best performance by far at Euro 2024.

Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and substitute Donyell Malen scored two late goals to send the Dutch to their first quarter final in the tournament since 2008.

The Netherlands had missed a plethora of earlier opportunities to add to the lead and captain Virgil van Dijk also hit the woodwork. It was nevertheless a much-improved display compared to its disappointing group stage performance, which ended in a 3-2 loss to Austria.

Dutch supporters watch the Euro 2024 match against Romania in Beekbergen, the Netherlands. Photo: ANP / AFP

“I think we played a good game and showed a great reaction from the last one,” Gakpo said. “Especially after the last game we needed a reaction and today was a good step in the right direction. We talked a lot about the aggression, the intensity and defending like a team.”

It was Gakpo’s third goal of the tournament, making him joint top scorer along with Germany’s Jamal Musiala, Georges Mikautadze of Georgia and Ivan Schranz of Slovakia.