Romania v Netherlands score LIVE: Cody Gakpo fires early goal in Euro 2024 tie

You just felt like the Netherlands might click into gear at some point. Xavi Simons has given them something different in that attacking midfield role, allowing Tijjani Reijnders and Jerdy Schouten to sit and dictate from deeper.

That’s pretty dangerous, too!

Another goal for Cody Gakpo at a major tournament! A lovely passing move from the Netherlands as their find their flow for the first time, Jerdy Schouten releasing his left winger with a clever pass. Gakpo stands up Andrei Ratiu and shuffles inside, firing back against the grain to beat Florin Nita at the goalkeeper’s near post. They’ve not had their best 20 minutes but that is what the Dutch can do!

Stefan de Vrij releases a noise of frustration as he doesn’t quite connect as intended with his header of a Memphis Depay corner. A flick off a Romanian head allows Depay another opportunity, and the delivery is again on point – Nathan Ake matches De Vrij’s lack of proper purchase.

The Dutch look a danger from set pieces, though.

Just over! A drive inside from Dennis Man, skipping between Cody Gakpo and Jerdy Schouten and then releasing a crisp shot towards the top corner. It bellows in the ear of the goalframe as it goes roaring past with Bert Verbruggen beaten.

Xavi Simons is playing in the hole beind Memphis Depay, pushing up out of possession to press as a front two at times. You’d think that should give the Netherlands more fizz and pop with the ball, but the Dutch seem desperate to sit deep so far, letting Romania control the tempo.

The Netherlands, by contrast, are all over the place. Jerdy Schouten has the opportunity to clear his lines but instead dallies, and Bart Verbruggen has to scramble something away having been found with an underhit pass.

At the other end, Memphis Depay is offside as Xavi Simons prods beyond Radu Dragusin.

Virgil van Dijk is now required to react sharply as Andrei Ratiu and Dennis Man look to work some shapes up te right. A bright first ten minutes from Romania.

Ianis Hagi returns, now with a protective mesh hat and gauze, and is immediately on the ball, forcing Nathan Ake to scramble across and cut out a darting forward pass.

Romania are still without Ianis Hagi as play continues, two medics working to stem the flow of claret. The Netherlands thus explore the edges, Xavi Simons found in space and cutting in to release the first effort on goal of the encounter. A faint flick off Andrei Ratiu makes it nice and simple for Florin Nita, 37 tomorrow.

There are spots of red appearing on Hagi’s shoulder, Dumfries inadvertently catching him slightly nastily on the top of his head. The great Gheorghe watches on, seemingly unconcerned in the stands, as his son is patched up and readied for a return.