Euro 2024 has entered the knockout stage, but what fans complain about the most is how exciting the game is. A number of favourites led by England and France staged hypnotic football in consecutive games from the group stage to the knockout round, disappointing fans who stayed up late. However, the Dutch team, which was not favored, was eye-catching in the knockout round. At the end of 90 minutes, the Dutch team eliminated Romania 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals, and the game process made the fans addicted.
In the group stage, the Dutch team played a lot of reservations, reversing Poland in the first game to win all three points, and the Netherlands played a tacit friendly draw with France in the second round after laying the foundation for qualification, and advanced to the round of 16 in advance. In the final round, the Netherlands suffered a shock defeat to Austria, falling from the top of the group to the third place in the group. However, when the knockout opponents and semi-brackets were announced, fans found out that the Netherlands had played a big game. Although the big dark horse Romania is the first in Group E, it only has 4 points, and it is the top spot by virtue of goal difference. Before the semi-finals, the Netherlands managed to avoid all the traditional powerhouses and got the top draw.
In terms of starters, the Dutch team Depay, Bergwijn and Gakpo trident, Xavi Simons in the midfield, Van Dijk and De Vrij partnered in the double central defender; On the Romanian side, Draculas charged with a single arrow, former Chinese Super League foreign players Stanciu and R-Marin partnered in the midfield, and Draculasin led the back four.
In the first half, the Dutch team played the most exciting knockout game except for the Spanish one, and Dumfries became a big killer on the right flank. Romania did not play high pressure on the Netherlands like Austria in the group stage, but two ribs were frequently pierced by the Netherlands, and if it weren't for Bergwijn and Depay's frequent wasted chances, the first half might have been spent. The Netherlands broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with Gakpo's 1v1 inside shot from the left, and in the 31st minute, Draculasin cleared Depay's empty goal. At half-time, the Netherlands led Romania by one goal.
In the second half, Mullen replaced Bergwijn, who had not played well in the first half. Next, the Dutch team missed the goal many times, Malendep missed two consecutive shots, Van Dijk hit the post with a header, Reinders crossed the crotch, and Gakpo ran long distances, all of which were eye-catching. Gakpo scored in the 62nd minute, but was whistled for offside. Finally, after a number of wasted chances, the Dutch sealed the win in the 83rd minute. Gakpo carried the defender to provide an assist, and Malen easily pushed the goal, and the Netherlands led Romania 2-0, completely shattering the opponent's heart. After 93 minutes of stoppage time, the Netherlands made a comeback, and Malen used his speed to the extreme, running all the way like no one, and led the Netherlands to the quarter-finals 3-0 with a volley.
This game of the Dutch team did bring fans a very fresh feeling, once the Dutch team was called the uncrowned king of the World Cup by fans, in Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, France and other favorites under the halo, the Netherlands is indeed the most ignored and underestimated team. But in the knockout round, the Dutch team finally showed its fangs for the championship.