EM Holland wins in the round of 16
Before Malen’s redeeming goal, Romania’s goalkeeper kicks a shoe out of the five-meter area
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Painting puts the lid on it – The Dutch 3-0 in video
First an own goal against Austria, now a brace in the round of 16 against Romania: After a solo run from the halfway line, Dutchman Donyell Malen scores to make it 3-0 in the 93rd minute. Watch the goal in the video.
Holland put in its best performance of the tournament against Romania and moved into the quarter-finals of the European Championship. Donyell Malen redeemed his team with a brace. Before his second goal, a strange scene took place in Romania’s penalty area.
Donyell Malen grabbed the ball 30 meters from the goal and picked up speed. The Dutch winger left an opponent behind and shot. His shot slammed into the Romanian goal. It was 3-0 and the final decision in the European Championship round of 16 between the Dutch and Romania.
Romania’s goalkeeper Florin Nita didn’t even try to dive to parry the shot. The ball was too well placed. But just before the shot, Nita was distracted. A pair of shoes was lying in his penalty area, which had obviously been thrown onto the pitch from the fan block behind him. Just before Malen shot, Nita took care of one of the two shoes.
Three men and seven shoes – Donyell Malen scores for the Netherlands to make it 3-0
Source: REUTERS
He kicked it out of his six-yard box so that the ball couldn’t be deflected off him. Nita was briefly distracted by the shoe, but probably wouldn’t have saved the shot anyway.
For the Netherlands, who will face the winner of the round of 16 match between Turkey and Austria in the quarter-finals next Saturday, the convincing victory was a relief. Ronald Koeman’s team had a very mixed first half of the season and only came third in their group.
“After the last game we needed this reaction”
“We simply played a good game and showed a good reaction. After the last game, we needed that reaction. We defended as a whole team. We are very happy with the win, we simply played well,” said Cody Gakpo. The striker, who scored the first goal and assisted the second, was the outstanding player on the pitch. He was named “Man of the Match” by UEFA.
Florin Nita was decisively distracted before the third Dutch goal
Quelle: Getty Images/Carl Recine
The game was also a relief for Malen. After a mixed season at Borussia Dortmund, the winger had only been a reserve player for the Dutch team. He was also only substituted on in the second half against Romania. He redeemed his team with his goal to make it 2-0 before making the final score in the closing stages. “I’m happy that I was able to help the team,” said Malen.
