The Round of 16 clash in EURO 2024 between the Netherlands and Romania was anticipated to be a fiercely contested affair. However, a singular force, Cody Gakpo, shifted the balance decisively in favor of the Dutch.
Romania started strong, dominating possession and creating clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes. Yet, it was Cody Gakpo’s moment of brilliance that shattered their hopes. In the 20th minute, Gakpo embarked on a menacing dribble, cutting inside to unleash a precise shot into the near corner. Romania’s goalkeeper Nita was caught off guard, unable to thwart the Dutch forward’s strike.
Gakpo’s impact reverberated throughout the match. He earned a stellar 9 rating from statistical analysts at Whoscored, representing a standout performance reminiscent of Liverpool’s finest. Beyond his pivotal goal, Gakpo showcased his flair with a mesmerizing dribble and a crucial assist to Malen, securing a comfortable lead in the 83rd minute.
With his goal against Romania, Cody Gakpo notched his third of the EURO tournament, placing him in league with the likes of Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany), and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) at the forefront of the Golden Boot race for EURO 2024.
Significantly, Gakpo and Musiala remain contenders to augment their goal tallies, while Mikautadze and Schranz bowed out following their national teams’ premature exits in the Round of 16.
Gakpo’s advantage over Musiala in the tournament’s later stages is evident. The Netherlands will confront the victor of the Austria vs Turkey duel in the quarter-finals, while Musiala’s Germany faces a daunting encounter with Spain. Moreover, should Germany advance, they could potentially vie with formidable opponents such as France or Portugal in the semi-finals, presenting Gakpo with a favorable path to enhance his goal-scoring exploits.
In addition to the leading scorers, other notable players have registered two goals each, including England’s dynamic duo of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, Germany’s Niclas Fullkrug and Kai Havertz, Spain’s creative maestro Fabian Ruiz, and Romania’s now-eliminated Razvan Marin.
Among these contenders, Harry Kane stands out as a pivotal figure for England, whose passage to the quarter-finals and navigable route in the tournament offer him ample opportunity to make a lasting impact.
