Soccer-Gakpo strike and Malen double help Dutch reach Euro quarter-finals

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Round of 16 - Romania v Netherlands - Munich Football Arena, Munich, Germany - July 2, 2024 Netherlands' Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their first goal with Xavi Simons REUTERS/Fiona Noever

MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) -Netherlands' Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of the European Championship and substitute Donyell Malen added two more late on to defeat Romania 3-0 in their last-16 fixture as the Dutch burst back into form with a lively display on Tuesday.

They had been lambasted by their media and fans for a poor defensive display in their final group game, a 3-2 loss to Austria, but were more composed and in control as they reach the Euro quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.