NewsEuro 2024: Gakpo shines with goal and assist as Netherlands reach last eight
Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of Euro 2024 and provided an assist to help the Netherlands advance to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 defeat of Romania.
The Liverpool forward opened the scoring 20 minutes into Tuesday’s last-16 clash in Munich, driving into the box from the left flank and firing a finish inside the near post.
That goal moved Gakpo up to joint-top scorer at the tournament so far, alongside Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany) and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia).
Gakpo played 84 minutes before being replaced, while Virgil van Dijk completed the whole game as Dutch captain and aided in securing a clean sheet.
Both almost delivered another goal in the second half, a Van Dijk header bouncing off the post and a Gakpo effort from close range ruled out for offside.
The Netherlands finally doubled their advantage seven minutes from the end, when Gakpo brilliantly kept the ball in play as he dribbled to the byline, cutting a pass back for Donyell Malen to convert.
And Malen then swept in his second of the tie in stoppage time for Ronald Koeman’s side, for whom Reds midfielder Ryan Gravenberch remained on the bench.
Next up for the Netherlands is a last-eight showdown with Turkiye at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, which will kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday (July 6).
“I think we played a good game and showed a great reaction from the last game [a 3-2 defeat by Austria in the group stage],” said Gakpo post-match.
“I am very pleased. 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 a good step and I am very happy we won.”
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