BVB star with late brace Unleashed Dutch storm into the European Championship quarter-finals
02.07.2024, 19:54
The Dutch only took the lead in a match at the European Football Championship in the round of 16. Coach Ronald Koeman’s team scored the first goal early on, but then missed one chance after another. The bold Romanians were unable to punish them, and in the end a BVB star made the decision.
The Netherlands stormed into the quarter-finals of the European Championship with unleashed offensive power. Not far from the site of its greatest and only triumph to date, the 1988 European champions swept past the Romanians, who were at times overwhelmed – but in the convincing 3-0 (1-0) victory, the Elftal had to put up with the criticism of not having decided the entertaining game in the Munich Arena much earlier and more clearly after Cody Gakpo’s goal (18th). It was only Donyell Malen (83rd, 90th+3) from Borussia Dortmund who dispelled all doubts with his brace.
Under the largely confident leadership of referee Felix Zwayer (Berlin), the Oranje suddenly turned up the heat after a stormy first quarter of an hour by the Romanians and at times played themselves into a frenzy. For the Dutch, the journey now continues from Munich, where they defeated Russia in the European Championship final (2-0) in the Olympic Stadium 36 years ago, to Berlin – their opponents there on Saturday (9 p.m.) will be Austria or Turkey, as in the preliminary round.
Romania – Netherlands 0:3 (0:1)
Tore: 0:1 Gakpo (20.), 0:2 Malen (83.), 0:3 Malen (90.+3)
Romania: Niţă – Ratiu, Dragusin, Burcă, Mogos (38. Racovitan) – Marin (72. Cicaldau) – Man, Marin, Stanciu (88. Olaru), Hagi (72. Alibec) – Dragus (72. Mihaila); Trainer: Iordanescu.
Coach: Koeman.
Yellow cards: Marin (2), Stanciu – Dumfries, Malen
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Berlin)
Spectators: 66,000 (sold out) in Munich
The Dutch had stumbled through the preliminary rounds, and after a 2:3 defeat against Austria they had only finished third behind Ralf Rangnick’s team and the equally unconvincing French. Their European Championship record was not in their favour either: they last reached the quarter-finals in 2008. And at first they also struggled against the Romanians.
First exchange of blows, then control
The “Tricolorii” started boldly and cheekily, and shed blood in the process. Ianis Hagi, son of the icon Gheorghe Hagi, was wearing a head bandage after just four minutes following a collision with Denzel Dumfries – a kind of visual proof that he and his teammates certainly did not want to take it easy. Coach Eduard Iordanescu, son of the legendary coach Anghel Iordanescu, drove his team on with no less passion.
BVB star Malen makes the late decision.
(Foto: picture alliance/dpa)
National coach Ronald Koeman, on the other hand, watched almost motionless as the Elftal engaged in a lively exchange of blows and almost fell behind within a few seconds (14th) thanks to goals from Denis Dragus and Dennis Man. But no sooner had the Oranje survived the Romanian initial offensive than Gakpo struck. He benefited from a positioning error by goalkeeper Florin Nita.
The goal calmed the Elftal, they gained security and control – and created further chances after chances: Radu Dragusin, for example, saved in dire need from Memphis Depay (31′) – this action was also initiated by the outstanding Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan.
Only late does painting arrive
The Romanians had obviously hoped to score early and then attack on the counter. However, the goal they conceded threw their plan into disarray. The men in yellow barely got out of their own half because the unleashed Elftal were pushing for a second goal – but were unable to score again due to too much playfulness.
The Dutch had plenty of chances. For example, Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig (44th minute). Or Depay (54th minute). Or Virgil van Dijk, who only hit the post (58th minute). Or Gakpo after a sprint across almost the entire field (62nd minute). Or substitute Joey Veerman (72nd minute). VAR Bastian Dankert disallowed a goal from Gakpo for offside (63rd minute). And so the Elftal had to tremble a little until almost the end – before Malen lived up to his role as a joker.
2024-07-02 17:54:00
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