Second-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie gave Holland a 2-0 victory over Romania, to maintain their 100% record at Euro 2008 and dash their opponents hopes of reaching the last eight.
Huntelaar slotted home on 54 minutes from a right-wing cross by Ibrahim Afellay and Van Persie made sure of victory with a fierce left-foot drive into the roof of the net with just three minutes remaining.
Holland will now face either Sweden or Russia in a quarter-final tie in Basel on Saturday.
Romania needed to win to reach the last eight but, after draws against Italy and France earlier in the tournament, Victor Piturca’s side were exposed for what they are: a hard working, determined team, but one sorely lacking in creativity.
A poor first half ended goalless with Romania rarely threatening to make the breakthrough they required if they were to maintain an interest in the tournament.
Captain Cristian Chivu fired a free kick over on nine minutes before Adrian Mutu and Gabriel Tamas went close with long-range drives.
Arjen Robben should put the Dutch ahead on 36 minutes when he collected a through ball from Huntelaar but prodded it wide from six metres with only keeper Bogdan Lobont to beat.
Van Persie also missed a good second-half opportunity when he turned defender Sorin Ghionea inside out before his shot was parried away by Lobont.
Even though Romania were aware that Italy were ahead against France there was surprisingly little urgency to their play after the break and they can have no complaints about their elimination from the tournament.
Group C
Holland 2-0 Romania
Scorers: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 54, Robin van Persie 87
Half-time: 0-0
Attendance: 30,770
Teams:
Holland: 16-Maarten Stekelenburg; 21-Khalid Boulahrouz (12-Mario Melchiot 58), 3-John Heitinga, 14-Wilfred Bouma, 15-Tim de Cler; 8-Orlando Engelaar, 6-Demy de Zeeuw; 20-Ibrahim Afellay, 7-Robin van Persie, 11-Arjen Robben (18-Dirk Kuyt 61); 19-Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (22-Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink 82)
Romania: 1-Bogdan Lobont; 2-Cosmin Contra, 14-Sorin Ghionea, 4-Gabriel Tamas, 3-Razvan Rat; 16-Banel Nicolita (7-Florentin Petre 82), 11-Razvan Cocis, 5-Cristian Chivu, 8-Paul Codrea (20-Nicolae Dica 72), 10-Adrian Mutu; 18-Marius Niculae (21-Daniel Niculae 60)
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
