📸 Malen had more than a defender to beat vs Romania in bizarre moment 👟
Donyell Malen had the best night of his international career against Romania, coming off the bench to strike twice and seal a 3-0 victory for the Netherlands and passage into the European Championship quarter finals.
He beat and avoided defenders, but also a pair of trainers in one of the more bizarre moments this summer.
The Borussia Dortmund forward has had a tough few days, first scoring an unfortunate own goal in his side’s 3-2 loss to Austria before being dropped for Steven Bergwijn for today’s last 16 clash.
However, Ronald Koeman brought him on at half-time and the 25-year-old was instantly involved as the Dutch missed countless chances.
He finally finished the game with a poked finish from close range in the 83rd minute, but it was his second strike in added time that will be the one remembered.
It was a lovely finish from Malen, as he broke on the counter, cut inside a Romanian defender and put the keeper the wrong way. However, there was a pair of trainers in his way too, apparently left behind by yet another pitch invader.
Romania's keeper Florin Nita was visibly frustrated after a pitch invaders trainers were left on the pitch, seconds before Donyell Malen scored the Netherlands' third 😬 👟 pic.twitter.com/CaSdLli7zL
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) July 2, 2024
Tonight also marked Malen’s first goals for his country in a tournament, and his second is unlikely to be forgotten as this summer continues to surprise us.