In a tournament in which so many of the big nations have trudged their way laboriously to the quarter-finals, Netherlands have finally burst into life.
A magnificent, livewire performance from Cody Gakpo inspired the Dutch to the sort of comprehensive win that England and France are still yet to produce.
Ronald Koeman’s side showed they need to be taken seriously with a 3-0 win over Romania in which they finally demonstrated a free-flowing attack.
Holland lost 3-2 to Austria and only scraped through Group D as one of the four best third-place teams. Now, though, they are through to the quarter-finals where they will play Turkey in Berlin on Saturday. They could meet England in the semi-finals.
Gakpo has lacked consistency at times for Liverpool but has led the way for Holland at these finals and now joint top tournament scorer with three goals.
His direct, marauding runs caused Romania all sorts of problems in Munich, and Turkey will know he is their biggest threat.
It was another quiet night for striker Memphis Depay, yet others are coming to the fore, including Paris Saint-Germain’s Xavi Simons, 21, who assisted twice and is revelling in the freedom of the No10 role.
Holland were finally taking risks. Jerdy Schouten’s line-breaking pass made the opening goal possible, Gakpo’s insistence on keeping the ball in play created the second for Donyell Malen, and then Malen darted at goal rather than the corner flag as he netted his second and Holland’s third in injury time.
It was hard to see Holland as contenders before, but keep playing like this on the easier side of the draw and they will be a force.
