Steven Bergwijn forced off due to ‘physical issues’ in Netherlands win over Romania – Ronald Koeman

MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 2: Steven Bergwijn of the Netherlands looks on during the Round of 16 - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Romania and Netherlands at Munich Football Arena on July 2, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
By Colin Millar and more
Jul 2, 2024

Netherlands forward Steven Bergwijn was forced off at half time after suffering “physical issues” during his side’s European Championship last-16 victory over Romania, his coach Ronald Koeman has said.

The 26-year-old forward was substituted at the break and was replaced by Donyell Malen, with the Netherlands leading 1-0 at the time before scoring twice more after the break.

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Bergwijn was making his first appearance of the tournament as he was selected ahead of Malen and Jeremie Frimpong by Koeman, and may now be an injury doubt for Saturday night’s quarter-final against Turkey.

“Bergwijn had some physical issues,” Koeman said after the game. “It was a risk to keep him in the match. That’s why I made the decision to take him out at half-time.”

Netherlands will face Turkey in Saturday night’s quarter-final clash in Berlin after their last-16 victory over Austria.

Koeman’s side beat Romania 3-0 thanks to a first-half goal from Cody Gakpo, before substitute Malen added a second and third in the game’s final 10 minutes.

Bergwijn joined Ajax from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2022, and has scored 29 goals in 76 appearances for the Amsterdam club.

The forward has been capped 33 times at senior international level since his debut in 2018 and has scored eight goals.

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The Briefing: Romania 0 Netherlands 3 - Stylish Dutch through to quarter-finals as Gakpo chases Golden Boot

(Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

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