Romania 0-3 Netherlands: Cody Gakpo shines as Dutch seal quarter-final spot | OneFootball

The Dutch answered their critics after a defeat to Austria last week

Cody Gakpo scored one and assisted another as Netherlands beat Romania to reach the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Donyell Malen soon after tucked home the Dutch’s second, after stunning work from Gakpo on the byline, and then a third in injury time after running from inside his own half.

Netherlands had faced criticism by their media and fans for a poor defensive display in their final group game, a 3-2 loss to Austria, but were more composed and in control as they reached the Euros quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.

They took the lead after 20 minutes when Gakpo drilled a low angled shot home at goalkeeper Florin Nita's near post before Malan's late double helped set up a quarter-final with Austria or Turkey, who play later on Tuesday, in Berlin on Saturday.

The Netherlands had two-thirds of possession and almost five times more chances in the game to underline their superiority as Virgil van Dijk struck the post with a header and Gakpo had a second effort ruled out for offside.

Additional reporting by Reuters.