Euro2024: Dutch provide hints about Total Football leading to the quarterfinals
In the 3-0 victory over Romania, Cody Gakpo scored the first goal with a combination of flair, delicacy, quickness, and accuracy that almost felt like a throwback.
It was exquisitely simplistic football – the most difficult thing to emulate, Johan Cruyff. Xavi Simons was passed the ball by Jerdy Schouten, who was on the Dutch side of the center circle. A pass that lacked both speed and force, yet it split two Romanian shirts perfectly, found Xavi Simons in the open space, and found the referee.
After deflecting the ball with his left instep and spinning to his right, the playmaker made a few touches and freed Cody Gakpo, who was scuttling on the left side. After cutting past his man and cutting in, he took a moment to compose himself before unleashing a fierce, low shot that went inside goalkeeper Florin Nita's near post.
Brimming with nostalgia, the goal was a throwback from a flashback exhibition.
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