On July 3 at 00:00, Romania will face the Netherlands in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Euro.
After a 2-3 loss to Austria in their final group stage match, the Netherlands advanced as Group D’s third-placed team. However, they were fortunate enough to draw a relatively weaker group winner, Romania, in the knockout phase.
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The Netherlands have lost their last three European Championship knockout matches: 1-2 to Portugal in the 2004 semifinals, 1-3 to Russia in the 2008 quarterfinals, and 0-2 to the Czech Republic in the 2020 Round of 16. They could become just the second team in Euros history, after Yugoslavia from 1968 to 2000, to lose four consecutive knockout games.
This will be Romania’s first appearance in a major tournament knockout stage since the 2000 UEFA Euro. Previously, they have only once managed to progress through a knockout round, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the Round of 16 at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
Key Players
Georginio Wijnaldum has emerged as a key threat under Ronald Koeman, scoring two of the Netherlands’ four goals in the group stage. He is on course to become the sixth Dutch player to score three or more goals in a single UEFA Euro.
Razvan Marin has also scored two of Romania’s four goals, including a sublime penalty in their draw with Slovakia. Only Florin Răducioiu (4 goals in 1994 World Cup) and Gheorghe Hagi (3 goals, also in 1994 World Cup) have scored more goals in a major tournament for Romania.
Head-to-Head
This will be the second meeting between Romania and the Netherlands in a major competition. Their only previous encounter in a major tournament was at Euro 2008, where the Netherlands triumphed 2-0.
In all encounters, Romania has defeated the Netherlands just once in 14 matches (3 draws, 10 losses). Since their 1-0 victory in an UEFA Euro qualifier in October 2007, they have lost four consecutive matches. In these 14 contests, Romania has scored only three goals while conceding 29.
The teams’ most recent clash came in a friendly in Bucharest in 2017, which saw the Netherlands win 3-0, thanks to goals from Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel, and Luuk de Jong.
Injuries and Suspensions
Romania’s coach Mihai Stoichiță must make an unwanted defensive change, as starting left-back Nicușor Bancu is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. Vasile Mogoș and Dean Ţorescu (more attack-minded) are the favorites to replace him, with Mogoș likely getting the nod for his defensive nous, shifting Andrei Rătă to the left side.
Marin, who has netted twice for the team, is back in full training after a brief rest due to fatigue. Stoichiță faces a selection dilemma in attack, with Ianis Hagi, Denis Man, Florin Neșelă, and Valentin Mihăilă competing for the two spots alongside Denis Dragus.
The entire Netherlands squad should be available for the Munich fixture, with striker Joshua Zirkzee, who had a brief illness, now fully fit and training.
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