The Netherlands’ lead over Romania in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 remained at 1-0 after a crucial VAR intervention. Cody Gakpo, who had initially put the ball in the back of the net, was ruled offside by the video assistant referee.
The incident occurred in the 63rd minute. Netherlands earned a corner kick, which was headed towards goal by Nathan Ake. The ball landed at the feet of Gakpo, who calmly slotted it past the Romanian goalkeeper. The Dutch fans erupted in celebration, believing the lead had been extended. However, the referee’s decision was quickly overturned following a brief VAR review.
The video replays showed that Gakpo was marginally ahead of Romanian defender Radu Dragusin at the moment the ball was played by Ake. This subtle offside position was initially missed by the linesman, but VAR intervened to ensure fair play. Even Gakpo appeared to be unsure about his positioning after the goal, highlighting the close call.
While the VAR check may have dampened the Dutch celebrations, it served as a reminder of the technology’s crucial role in ensuring accuracy and fairness in modern football. The match continued with the Netherlands holding onto their narrow lead, keeping Romania under pressure in search of an equalizer.
