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Late goals from Donyell Malen secure victory for the Netherlands against Romania in Euro 2024

Late goals from Donyell Malen secure victory for the Netherlands against Romania in Euro 2024

Donyell Malen scored two late goals to help the Netherlands advance to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 with a 3-0 victory over Romania in Munich.

Cody Gakpo gave the Dutch the lead after 20 minutes, but Ronald Koeman's team missed several chances before securing the win.

Malen calmed nerves with a close-range goal seven minutes before the end and sealed the victory with another goal in stoppage time.

Romania started brightly with Dennis Man threatening, but Gakpo turned the game around with his third goal of the tournament.

Gakpo, who plays for Liverpool, scored by cutting inside from the left and firing a low shot into the net.

The Netherlands kept creating chances, with Tijjani Reijnders seeing a powerful shot blocked and Stefan De Vrij missing narrowly with a header.

Romania's defense did well to clear a dangerous ball from Denzel Dumfries, but they were lucky when Xavi Simons missed the target after a mistake from Bogdan Racovitan.

The Dutch almost paid for their missed chances as Denis Dragus forced a save from Bart Verbruggen, and they squandered more opportunities in the second half.

Memphis Depay and Malen couldn't convert during a goalmouth scramble, and Virgil Van Dijk hit the post with a header.

Gakpo tested Nita with a shot before having a goal disallowed for offside, while Depay and Joey Veerman also went close.

Romania felt aggrieved when a foul by Denis Alibec halted Nicolae Stanciu's breakaway, but Malen's late goals sealed the win for the Netherlands.