‘What the f***?’ – Tottenham defender slammed by fans for horror gaffe during Romania’s defeat at Euro 2024
Radu Dragusin went from hero to zero as he was guilty of a nightmare mistake in Romania's Euro 2024 defeat to the Netherlands.
The Tottenham defender had been one of his side's best players in Germany, where his monstrous displays in Group E helped them progress to the last 16.
And he expertly denied an almost certain goal from Memphis Depay in the first half with a brilliant sliding clearance.
But he was left with egg on his face in the 83rd minute which saw the Oranje double their lead in an eventual 3-0 victory.
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, who scored the opener for Ronald Koeman's men, looked to beat Dragusin on the goal line.
The 22-year-old, who moved to north London from Genoa in January, initially did well as he showed his physical presence in barging Gakpo out of the way.
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But he made the crucial mistake in switching off - thinking the ball was to go out of play.
It was this indecision that allowed Gakpo another chance as he kept the ball in play, before squaring for Donyell Malen who had the simple task of tapping home into an empty net.
At the time of the goal, Romania had been looking more of a threat on the counter, but Malen's strike all-but sealed the Netherlands' place in the quarter-finals.
The ex-Arsenal academy striker then wrapped up the win in the closing stages with a deft finish into the bottom left corner.
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But it was Dragusin who was the player on fans' lips on social media, as one X user said: "That was some peak Tottenham defending there for the goal."
Another posted: "What the f*** was that???? Dragusin bro what are you doing???"
A third added: "Dragusin with the type of defending that convinced Spurs he was the right man for them."
This fan then quipped: "Terrible from Dragusin trying to run the ball out of play just get rid of it."
And this fan messaged: "That's a Spurs defender right there."
Meanwhile another simply stated: "Dragusin has the Spurs DNA."
Netherlands will now face either Turkey or Austria in Saturday's quarter-final following their first knockout win at the European Championship in 20 years.
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