The Netherlands booked a date with England within the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Turkey 2-1 within the quarter-final.
Turkey fielded a much-changed facet following various suspensions, together with to Merih Demiral, the scorer of each their objectives within the final 16 win in opposition to Austria.
The Dutch retained most of their facet that beat Romania, with Nathan Ake pulling by means of after present process a late health check.
But it surely was Turkey who grabbed the opener not lengthy earlier than half-time, with Arda Guler crossing to Samet Akaydin, who made no mistake together with his header to present his facet a deserved lead.
Guler hit the submit within the second half, whereas substitute Wout Weghorst was closely concerned, going shut with two headers.
The Dutch discovered a means again into the match by means of Stefan de Vrij, who headed dwelling from a nook to make it 1-1.
A couple of minutes later, they’d the lead.
Mert Muldur turned the ball into his personal internet from a Denzel Dumfries cross, though Cody Gakpo was there to pounce if he didn’t contact the ball himself.
Turkey battled again and compelled two big blocks from De Vrij and Micky van de Ven, and it was an actual battling efficiency within the ultimate 10 minutes because the Dutch held on.
The way it occurred
The Dutch have been met with mass boos each time they acquired on the ball because the Turkey followers packed contained in the stadium made their voices heard.
Memphis Depay had a really early likelihood for his facet after weaving into the field however skied his effort with simply seconds on the clock.
As many anticipated, it was an end-to-end affair within the early phases, with Turkey seeking to hit the Dutch on the counter-attack.
There was not a lot for Bart Verbruggen to do, however he wanted to remain alert to make sure he was not caught out.
Cody Gakpo as soon as once more seemed harmful, weaving by means of various Turkish gamers and happening exterior the field, however the theme from the referee on the evening was to let play circulation as a lot as doable.
The huge gamers have been proving to be key for Vincenzo Montella’s facet, they have been all the time eager to activate the ball and run at their markers, making life troublesome for the Dutch defence.
🥶#EURO2024 | #NEDTUR pic.twitter.com/0GAyFFUPGU
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
A lot of the primary half handed with none efforts on course, however there was an thrilling really feel to the sport, which was finely balanced.
Hakan Calhanoglou, who had returned from harm, was Turkey’s largest menace from set items, greater than as soon as delivering a harmful ball that would not be transformed.
Regardless of this, it was Actual Madrid’s Guler who offered the help for the opener.
With the ball falling to him from a half-cleared nook, the younger midfielder delivered the ball to the again submit, the place Akaydin was ready to transform.
Turkey continued to push till the half-time whistle, with little Dutch reply.
Wout Weghorst was introduced on within the second half and was concerned within the Dutch’s first huge transfer after the break.
He headed an Ake swap throughout to Depay within the field, however the ahead couldn’t poke it dwelling, though the flag went up for offside anyway.
He practically fired one dwelling a couple of minutes later, however his flicked header sailed simply previous the submit.
🟠Netherlands digging deep 💪#EURO2024 | #NEDTUR pic.twitter.com/kd6StfG30J
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
On the different finish, Guler rattled the submit from a free-kick that after replays, confirmed Bart Verbruggen acquired the slightest fingertips to the strike.
Calhanoglou delivered one other free-kick that was adopted up by the Turks, just for Verbruggen once more to face as much as the strike.
The Dutch lastly hit again with 20 minutes to go.
De Vrij rose highest from a nook to move into the web and rally his facet as they seemed to push on and win the match.
And that’s precisely what they did.
Breaking down the right-hand facet, Dumfries delivered a harmful low ball throughout the field in the direction of Gakpo, who stumbled when attempting to poke the ball dwelling, but it surely was turned in any means by Muldur.
On the dying minutes, it was backs in opposition to the wall for the Dutch, who relied on Van de Ven and De Vrij to tug out two big moments to forestall a Turkey equaliser.
Verbruggen then needed to make a reflex save that left the Turkey gamers surprised.
5 minutes have been added on on the finish of the sport, however a brilliantly entertaining Turkey facet couldn’t break by means of and may head dwelling holding their heads held excessive following a stellar event.
What subsequent for the Netherlands at Euro 2024?
The Netherlands will face 2020 finalists England in Dortmund on Wednesday evening,
An already eagerly anticipated match will kick-off at 8pm with a spot within the ultimate on the road.
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The winner of that can face both France or Spain within the ultimate subsequent Sunday.
England squeezed into the semi-finals themselves, beating Switzerland on penalties.