It would cause an almighty kerfuffle, but Marco van Basten should consider resigning before Saturday’s quarter-final because his reputation may not get any higher than it is now. The Holland coach is a national hero in two countries after guiding his side’s second string to a straightforward win that cements their position as one of the tournament’s favourites, while helping Italy to qualify for the quarter-finals. To misquote Yazz, the only way is down.

Van Basten already enjoyed legendary status in much of Italy as a result of his goalscoring feats with AC Milan, but his popularity will now extend even to those who loathe the Rossoneri. Of greater concern is how he is perceived in his own country, however, where he could yet surpass Johan Cruyff as the most celebrated Dutch sportsman if he becomes the first man to win the European Championship as a player and a coach. That is no longer the fanciful notion it appeared ten days ago after this demonstration that Holland have the strength in depth to cope with anything.

Those Italy and France fans who had conjured up conspiracy theories worthy of a Hollywood CIA blockbuster should have known better. From the moment he achieved an unlikely reconciliation with Ruud van Nistelrooy 12 months ago, Van Basten has infused his players with a professionalism and unity of purpose that has been sorely lacking in previous squads. If not quite playing total football, this Holland team are more than the sum of their parts, with the nine players called upon to start for the first time last night slotting seamlessly into roles usually filled by their supposed superiors.

Romania were pitiful. Their opponents’ second-choice goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, did not have to make a save, but that should not detract too much from Holland’s performance in a meaningless match for them. The neat passing game and speed of thought that overwhelmed Italy and France survived, despite the changes, with Orlando Engelaar again outstanding. The FC Twente midfield player, who is set to join Schalke 04 of the German Bundesliga, created a series of chances in the first half with his intelligent distribution and was involved in the first goal in the 55th minute, flicking Ibrahim Afellay’s right-wing cross on to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who made amends for earlier misses with a neat finish. Robin van Persie, who had no sins to atone for as he dovetailed well with Huntelaar in an impressive display, added a second from close range in the 87th minute to confirm his return to form after an injury-wrecked season.

Romania should have been emboldened by Holland’s changes, but seemed strangely subdued. The caution that had crippled them in their opening match against France returned, and the attacking intent that had given Italy such a fright, was nowhere to be seen. It was as if Romania’s players, knowing that a goalless draw would be enough to progress in the event of a stalemate in Zurich, were unwilling to take the necessary risks to force a victory.

Andrea Pirlo’s 25th-minute penalty for Italy, which was greeted with whistles from both ends of the stadium, removed this cushion, but Romania were unable recover, as Victor Piturca, their coach, conceded. “The Dutch team was better and fresher tonight than us and maybe the half-time score in Zurich had an influence on the players,” he said.

Romania’s attacking threat was limited to shots from distance and mazy runs down the left wing by Adrian Mutu that ended up in a series of blind alleys. They created only one chance of note, on the stroke of half-time. Razvan Rat reached the byline and produced a well-judged cross, only for Paul Codrea to shoot wastefully over the bar. Rat deserved better after impressing throughout the tournament, although the same cannot be said of his team-mates.

Holland picked up where they had left off against France, with Afellay and Arjen Robben enjoying the chance to make an impression out wide as Engelaar controlled matters in the middle. Holland have scored nine goals in three matches in the so-called group of death, so it seems churlish to pick holes, but Van Basten’s caution over his team’s chances of winning the tournament is well-founded. For all their wonderful attacking play, pre-tournament doubts about their defensive capabilities remain because they have not really been tested. Van Basten should enjoy his lofty position while he can.

Holland (4-2-3-1): M Stekelenburg — K Boulahrouz (sub: M Melchiot, 57min), J Heitinga, W Bouma, T de Cler — D de Zeeuw, O Engelaar — I Afellay, R van Persie, A Robben (sub: D Kuyt, 62) — K-J Huntelaar (sub: J Vennegoor of Hesselink, 82). Substitutes not used: E van der Sar, H Timmer, A Ooijer, J Mathijsen, G van Bronckhorst, R van Nistelrooy, W Sneijder, N de Jong, R van der Vaart.

Romania (4-3-3): B Lobont — C Contra, G Tamas, S Ghionea, R Rat — R Cocis, P Codrea (sub: N Dica, 72), C Chivu — B Nicolita, M Niculae (sub: D Niculae, 58), A Mutu. Substitutes not used: M Popa, E Stancioiu, C Marica, C Sapunaru, C Moti, A Cristea, S Radu. Booked: Chivu.

Referee: M Busacca (Switzerland).