"This will be the end for them" – Chris Sutton makes confident prediction ahead of Romania vs Netherlands in Euro 2024 last-16 stage
Ex-England international Chris Sutton has backed Netherlands to defeat Romania 3-1 in their UEFA Euro 2024 last-16 clash at Allianz Arena in Munich this Tuesday (July 2).
Netherlands, who have won one Euro trophy so far, finished third in Group D of the ongoing Euro 2024. Ronald Koeman's team opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Poland before registering a 0-0 draw against France. However, they slumped to a 3-2 loss against group winners Austria in Berlin earlier this Tuesday (June 25).
Romania, on the other hand, shockingly finished atop Group E after recording a 3-0 win over Ukraine, a 2-0 win over Belgium, and a 1-1 draw against Slovakia. The Edward Iordanescu-coached side are now aiming to better their quarter-final finish at the Euro 2000.
In his column for BBC, Sutton claimed that Netherlands will prove to be too strong for Romania in their Euro 2024 last-16 tie. He wrote:
"I am backing Memphis Depay to fire Netherlands into the quarter-finals, but they have not been very convincing so far. [They] look quite flaky to me, as Austria showed when they beat them last time out, and they only finished third in their group. Romania topped theirs and have already exceeded expectations to get this far. They will give this a real go, but this will be the end for them."
Netherlands, who are currently seventh in the FIFA rankings, have won eight and lost just one match of their past 10 games against Romania.
Netherlands legend Marco van Basten hits out at his national team for Euro 2024 loss
Earlier on June 25, Ronald Koeman's team failed to get the better of Austria in a 3-2 Euro 2024 loss against Austria. Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay scored a goal each, while Donyell Malen netted an own goal before Romano Schmid and Marcel Sabitzer's strikes.
During the Euro 2024 clash, Oranje great Marco van Basten hit out at his national side's players. He commented (h/t Voetbal International):
"It is truly a disgrace, an unbelievable display. There is nothing right. Our midfielders give away space, the sides are bad. On the ball, there is no one who shows balls. As if they don't feel like it. You are lucky that it is only 1-0 and the keeper saves you a few times. It can't be worse. It seems as if it is too hot for them. There is no energy, no power."
Koeman's team relished 52% possession, registered 11 shots, and completed 358 passes with 84% accuracy in the loss against Austria.