Gakpo shares Euro 2024 top scorer award

Cody Gakpo is one of six players who have shared the top scorer prize at Euro 2024.

The Liverpool forward scored three times during the tournament for the Netherlands as they reached the semi-finals before a narrow defeat by eventual runners-up England.

Gakpo’s tally was matched by Harry Kane, Georges Mikautadze, Jamal Musiala, Dani Olmo and Ivan Schranz.

The Dutchman is the second Reds player to be a top scorer at the European Championship while with the club – Milan Baros previously did so with five goals for the Czech Republic at the 2004 edition.

Gakpo man of the match as Holland sweep aside Romania

Cody Gakpo scored his third goal of Euro 2024 and provided an assist to help the Netherlands advance to the quarter-finals with a 3-0 defeat of Romania.

The Liverpool forward opened the scoring 20 minutes into Tuesday’s last-16 clash in Munich, driving into the box from the left flank and firing a finish inside the near post.

That goal moved Gakpo up to joint-top scorer at the tournament so far, alongside Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany) and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia).

Gakpo played 84 minutes before being replaced, while Virgil van Dijk completed the whole game as Dutch captain and aided in securing a clean sheet.

Both almost delivered another goal in the second half, a Van Dijk header bouncing off the post and a Gakpo effort from close range ruled out for offside.

The Netherlands finally doubled their advantage seven minutes from the end, when Gakpo brilliantly kept the ball in play as he dribbled to the byline, cutting a pass back for Donyell Malen to convert.

And Malen then swept in his second of the tie in stoppage time for Ronald Koeman’s side, for whom Reds midfielder Ryan Gravenberch remained on the bench.

Next up for the Netherlands is a last-eight showdown with Turkiye at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, which will kick off at 8pm BST on Saturday (July 6).

“I think we played a good game and showed a great reaction from the last game [a 3-2 defeat by Austria in the group stage],” said Gakpo post-match.

“I am very pleased. Especially after the last game we needed a reaction and today was a good step in the right direction.

“We talked a lot about the aggression, the intensity and defending like a team. It was a good step and I am very happy we won.”

Liverpool trio in Dutch Euro 24 squad

Virgil van Dijk is one of three Liverpool players named in the Netherlands' final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.

Netherlands captain Van Dijk heads up a trio of Reds players selected by Dutch boss Ronald Koeman, alongside midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and striker Cody Gakpo.

Injured Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has also been picked, despite not having played for more than a month because of an ankle injury.

Borussia Dortmund left-back Ian Maatsen, currently on loan from Chelsea, misses out on the final squad, as do Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon (through injury), Sparta Rotterdam goalkeeper Nick Olij and Feyenoord midfielder Quinten Timber.

The Netherlands face Canada and Iceland in warm-up matches next month before beginning their campaign against Poland in Hamburg on 16 June.

Koeman's side will also face France and Austria in Group D.

Netherlands squad

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)

Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten (PSV Eindhoven), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Joey Veerman (PSV Eindhoven), Georginio Wijnaldum (Al-Ettifaq)

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Brian Brobbey (Ajax), Memphis Depay (Atletico Madrid), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim, on loan from Burnley)