Netherlands bury Romania's dream
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Marco van Basten had fulfilled his promise as Netherlands produced a 2-0 victory over Romania and assured Italy’s win over France would send the Italians into the knockout stages.
The Oranje kept their 100 percent in Group C and wrecked Romania's hopes of progressing the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands prepare to face Russia or Sweden in the second round, while Romania go home.
The Netherlands had made the expected changes with only defensive midfielder Orlando Engelaar and right back Khalid Boulahrouz survived from the eleven that won the 'Group of Death.'
But it was still a frightening line-up, with a strike-force of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
For Romania, a win would have guaranteed a place in the quarter-final, while a draw would have been enough if the match between 2006 World Cup finalists Italy and France also ended in a draw.
That means defeat for the Dutch would have dismissed both the Azzurri and Les Bleus, but even a second-string Netherlands side were simply too good for the Tricolorii.
The Dutch had to wait until 54th minute to deservedly open the scoring. It was a neat teamwork effort, as Ibrahim Afellay played in the cross from the right, and with flicked on by Engelaar, there was Huntelaar behind him to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Huntelaar already scored eight times for his country with only 13 international appearance.
In the meantime Italy had scored their second goal, which meant the mission began to look impossible for Romania.
As the news reached, Romania looked already demoralised and exhausted.
With two goals needed in the last 25 minutes, the Romanians required a miraculous effort to exceed Italy.
Then, in the 88th minute, van Persie made sure of victory for his side and send the Romanians to their home country, collecting a cross from Demy de Zeeuw, escaped from Cosmin Contra and smashed the ball inside near post.
However, the Tricolorii was strangely blunted. Even they were aware that Italy were ahead against France there was no improvement on their play.
Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal, who replaced Edwin van der Sar, did not have a decent save to make in the entire match.
Romania started so well and shocked the world champions Italy and France, yet fallen at the final burden.
They had come so close to making it through the 'Group of Death.'
Netherlands: 16-Maarten Stekelenburg; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz (12-Mario Melchiot 58), 3-John Heitinga, 14-Wilfred Bouma, 15-Tim de Cler; 8-Orlando Engelaar, 6-Demy de Zeeuw; 20-Ibrahim Afellay, 7-Robin van Persie, 11-Arjen Robben (18-Dirk Kuyt 61); 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (22-Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 82)
Romania: 1-Bogdan Lobonţ; 2-Cosmin Contra, 14-Sorin Ghionea, 4-Gabriel Tamaş, 3-Răzvan Raţ; 16-Bănel Nicoliţă (7-Florentin Petre 82), 11-Răzvan Cociş, 5-Cristian Chivu, 8-Paul Codrea (20-Nicolae Dică 72), 10-Adrian Mutu; 18-Marius Niculae (21-Daniel Niculae 60)
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Statistics:
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The Oranje kept their 100 percent in Group C and wrecked Romania's hopes of progressing the quarter-finals.
The Netherlands prepare to face Russia or Sweden in the second round, while Romania go home.
The Netherlands had made the expected changes with only defensive midfielder Orlando Engelaar and right back Khalid Boulahrouz survived from the eleven that won the 'Group of Death.'
But it was still a frightening line-up, with a strike-force of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
For Romania, a win would have guaranteed a place in the quarter-final, while a draw would have been enough if the match between 2006 World Cup finalists Italy and France also ended in a draw.
That means defeat for the Dutch would have dismissed both the Azzurri and Les Bleus, but even a second-string Netherlands side were simply too good for the Tricolorii.
The Dutch had to wait until 54th minute to deservedly open the scoring. It was a neat teamwork effort, as Ibrahim Afellay played in the cross from the right, and with flicked on by Engelaar, there was Huntelaar behind him to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Huntelaar already scored eight times for his country with only 13 international appearance.
In the meantime Italy had scored their second goal, which meant the mission began to look impossible for Romania.
As the news reached, Romania looked already demoralised and exhausted.
With two goals needed in the last 25 minutes, the Romanians required a miraculous effort to exceed Italy.
Then, in the 88th minute, van Persie made sure of victory for his side and send the Romanians to their home country, collecting a cross from Demy de Zeeuw, escaped from Cosmin Contra and smashed the ball inside near post.
However, the Tricolorii was strangely blunted. Even they were aware that Italy were ahead against France there was no improvement on their play.
Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal, who replaced Edwin van der Sar, did not have a decent save to make in the entire match.
Romania started so well and shocked the world champions Italy and France, yet fallen at the final burden.
They had come so close to making it through the 'Group of Death.'
| Netherlands |  | 2 - 0 |  | Romania |
| Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 54 | ||||
| Robin van Persie 87 |
Netherlands: 16-Maarten Stekelenburg; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz (12-Mario Melchiot 58), 3-John Heitinga, 14-Wilfred Bouma, 15-Tim de Cler; 8-Orlando Engelaar, 6-Demy de Zeeuw; 20-Ibrahim Afellay, 7-Robin van Persie, 11-Arjen Robben (18-Dirk Kuyt 61); 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (22-Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 82)
Romania: 1-Bogdan Lobonţ; 2-Cosmin Contra, 14-Sorin Ghionea, 4-Gabriel Tamaş, 3-Răzvan Raţ; 16-Bănel Nicoliţă (7-Florentin Petre 82), 11-Răzvan Cociş, 5-Cristian Chivu, 8-Paul Codrea (20-Nicolae Dică 72), 10-Adrian Mutu; 18-Marius Niculae (21-Daniel Niculae 60)
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Statistics:
| Shots on target : | 5 | - | 3 |
| Shots off target : | 9 | - | 7 |
| Ball possession (%) : | 61 | - | 39 |
| Corner kicks : | 2 | - | 1 |
| Offsides : | 2 | - | 5 |
| Fouls : | 17 | - | 11 |
| Yellow cards : | 0 | - | 1 |
| Red cards : | 0 | - | 0 |
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