England will take on the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 in Dortmund after they found a route past Turkey with the Three Lions also progressing to the last four after beating Switzerland on penalties
England will take on Netherlands for a place in the Euro 2024 final following two drama-filled ties.
Gareth Southgate‘s men reached the last four of a major tournament for the third time under his watch. They squeezed past Switzerland on penalties on Saturday – Manchester City star Manuel Akanji failing from the spot.
Breel Embolo and Arsenal star Bukayo Saka – who was also successful from the resultant penalty shootout – had exchanged strikes in normal time. And amid the celebrations, England will now be planning for their last-four tie against the Netherlands following their own heroic comeback.
Ronald Koeman’s side had endured a nightmare start in Berlin after Samet Akaydin nodded home from Arda Guler’s terrific cross. The goal was just the reward they deserved after a bright start.
They had a clutch of chances to extend their lead – Real Madrid playmaker Guler predictably at the heart of things. He was just inches from finding the net himself as his terrific free-kick bounced off of the base of the post.
And that came back to bite Turkey as the Netherlands staged a quickfire recovery. Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij got on the end of Memphis Depay’s excellent cross to power his country level.
Just six minutes had passed before they completed the turnaround. Denzel Dumfries’ excellent cross picked out Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
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His contact was not exactly the cleanest but it mattered not as the ball took a touch off of Mert Muldur before finding the back of the net. Turkey still had opportunites to force extra-time late on.
They looked sure to find the net late on but two heroic Dutch blocks denied them. Zeki Celik saw his effort somehow blocked off of the line by Micky van de Ven.
Jerdy Schouten then also got his body in the way of Kerem Akturkoglu’s goalbound effort. Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verburggen was also called upon to ensure Akturkoglu did not snatch a late equaliser.
The ball bounced off of the Galatasaray star just yards from goal and looked to be nestling into the net. But Verbruggen stuck out an instinctive paw to keep the ball out.
Every block towards the end of the game was celebrated loud as a Dutch goal. And the volume then cranked up to signal the final whistle as the Netherlands tee-up Wednesday’s clash with England in Dortmund.
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