Second-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie ended Romania’s hopes of a quarter-final place in Berne as the Netherlands rounded off an impressive Group C campaign with a third successive victory.

Netherlands on top
Romania knew three points would ensure they joined their opponents in the last eight, yet Victor Piţurcă’s side were always on the back foot and Huntelaar, having passed up one presentable opening in the first half, clinically guided in Ibrahim Afellay’s teasing right-wing cross nine minutes into the second. Marco van Basten made widespread changes from the team that had swept aside Italy and France in their first two fixtures, yet victory was sealed with three minutes left as Van Persie drove in his second goal in as many games. 

New-look lineup
With progress already assured, Basten named a much changed side with only Khalid Boulahrouz and Orlando Engelaar retaining their places. That was little relief for Romania, however, given that the reshuffle brought Arjen Robben, Van Persie and Huntelaar into the starting lineup, and the Netherlands started the game showing their usual command in possession, Romania having to hector and hassle for every touch. Nonetheless, the best the Dutch had to offer in the opening exchanges was an Engelaar shot from distance which Cristian Chivu bravely charged down. If the key to tackling Van Basten’s team was to deny them space, it seemed Romania had found it with everyone chipping in to cut the Oranje supply lines.

Near misses
The Netherlands were not held entirely in check, Van Persie heading wide from an Engelaar cross. Romania then threatened for the first time, Adrian Mutu collecting a throw-in and twisting and turning to work space only to pull his shot across the face of goal. Boulahrouz then got behind the Romanian defence on the right, cutting the ball back for Huntelaar, but the AFC Ajax striker lifted his shot over. Robben was soon guilty of a more glaring miss, running on to a Huntelaar flick only to nudge his shot wide of Bogdan Lobonţ’s right-hand post. Paul Codrea may have been equally disappointed to have missed the target after Răzvan Raţ’s teasing pass from the left wrong-footed the Dutch defence as half-time approached.

Huntelaar strike
The Netherlands took up where they had left off after the interval and might have broken through within four minutes of the restart when a long ball found Van Persie with only Gabriel Tamaş for company, but while he spun his marker, Lobonţ turned his low shot round the post brilliantly. The goalkeeper had no chance five minutes later, however, Afellay’s ball from the right finding its way through a crowded penalty area for Huntelaar to guide in expertly.

Late clincher
With news filtering through that Italy had taken a 2-0 lead against France, Romania’s situation started to seem desperate. Still unable to control possession, they continually found themselves on the back foot but while flying interceptions and timely challenges kept Piţurcă’s team in contention, it was goals that were needed. Mutu set up substitute Florentin Petre for an overhead kick which looped over, but for all of their efforts, Romania were not to conjure up a second Miracle of Berne, with Van Persie underlining the class divide with the fiercely-struck second goal. The Netherlands will play either Sweden or Russia in the last eight in Basel on Saturday, while Romania finish in third position.