SUPER WARRIOR: Nathan Ake made a ‘CLASSY performance to help Netherlands dominated against Romania

 

Nathan Ake helped the Netherlands get the better of Romania 3-0 and reach the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

 

The City defender started at left-back for Ronald Koeman’s side, featuring for 68 minutes as his nation cruised to victory.

 

 

The Dutch were full value for the dominant scoreline, grabbing the opener just inside 20 minutes before Donyell Malen wrapped up the scoring with a late brace.

Holland got off the mark when Cody Gakpo fired in a vicious effort at the near post after cutting inside onto his favoured right foot, taking his personal tally to three at Euro 2024.

 

Ake and co. could’ve added to their advantage before the break, with Xavi Simons going particularly close as half-time approached when he scuffed an effort wide from a promising position.

Memphis Depay went even closer to number two when he was first to a loose ball in the Romania box after the restart but a remarkable late challenge by Andrei Rațiu took the sting out of his effort from around eight yards.

Another chance went begging just before the hour when Virgil Van Dijk’s header from a corner clipped the outside of the post, but the Netherland had the ball in the net again soon after.

And Ake was at the centre of the move, with his flick-on causing problems in the Romanian defence from a right wing cross.

The City defender rose highest to knock down an inviting ball into the path of Gakpo who fired home, but Malen’s involvement from an offside position saw the goal chalked off.

It was one of our number six’s final acts in Munich, with Koeman resting Ake ahead of their last eight clash this weekend.