Thursday, November 21, 2024

Netherlands 1-2 England: player ratings from the Euro 2024 semi-final

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Netherlands (4-2-3-1)

Bart Verbruggen (GK) Made good saves from Kane and Foden, distributing well too on skiddy pitch. No chance with goals. 7

Denzel Dumfries (RB) At the heart of the first‑half drama. Conceded penalty, cleared off the line and hit the bar before his night calmed down. 7

Virgil van Dijk (CB) Denied by Pickford in what became a crucial moment. Headed and blocked everything but it was not enough. 7

Stefan de Vrij (CB) Solid for most the part but made critical error of giving Watkins space for trademark finish. 5

Nathan Aké (LB) Given plenty to do by Saka and Walker before interval. Got a grip, with occasional foray upfield. 7

Jerdy Schouten (CM) Struggled until the team shape changed. Then showed spiky ball-winning ability and slick distribution. 7

Tijjani Reijnders (CM) Dynamic midfielder shone after Veerman’s arrival, recycling possession and combining on left. 7

Donyell Malen (RW) Lively at start but Guehi extinguished his only chance. Moved centrally but replaced by presence of Weghorst. 5

Xavi Simons (AM) Started with fire in his eyes and scored a tremendous goal. Heavily involved too after moving right, but scuffed second-half volley. 7

Cody Gapko (LW) Almost invisible for an hour but influence grew with his team’s confidence before the late heartbreak. 6

Memphis Depay (ST) Departed injured and had largely been a hindrance before that, although did slide Malen in for one opening. 5

Substitutes

Joey Veerman (for Depay 35) Shored up the midfield and seemed, until Watkins’ late blast, to have changed the game. 7

Wout Weghorst (for Malen ht) Few chances to cause chaos but gave England a new poser in difficult second half. 7

Brian Brobbey (for Simons 90) Could not find a late miracle. 6

Joshua Zirkzee (for Dumfries 90) No glimmers for Manchester United target. 6

Wout Weghorst provided a different kind of threat in the second half. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

England (3-4-2-1)

Jordan Pickford (GK) Could he have got more on Simons’s early blast? Solid enough afterwards and made a crucial save from Van Dijk. 6

Kyle Walker (RCB) Marauded with menace and thought he had teed up a winner for Saka. Asked questions by Gakpo later on. 7

John Stones (CB) Dealt well with Weghorst and was sound in possession, eschewing any temptation to take risks. 7

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Marc Guéhi (LCB) Made a big block on Malen before the half-hour and denied Weghorst later. Solid and composed. 7

Bukayo Saka (RWB) Roamed everywhere from right-sided perch and tempo was crucial to early recovery. Briefly thought he had scored winner. 7

Kobbie Mainoo (CM) What a performance from the youngster, who was the best player on the pitch before half‑time. Had a tougher second half but still shone. 8

Declan Rice (CM) Caught by Simons for the goal and unconvincing in possession. Far from his best night but never stopped battling. 5

Kieran Trippier (LWB) Square peg in round hole where Netherlands were clearly exploitable. A few crossed wires and half-time departure made sense. 5

Phil Foden (AM) Found pockets, hit post and denied on the line in an excellent first half. Space at a premium in second. 7

Jude Bellingham (AM) Less effective than England’s other attackers and booked. Not his turn to find the magic moment. 5

Harry Kane (ST) More like his old self as England battled back, winning penalty and tucking it away. Faded noticeably after interval. 7

Substitutes

Ollie Watkins Introduced for Kane in the 81st minute, to add the killer touch – and sent England into dreamland, and on to Berlin. 9

Luke Shaw (for Trippier ht) Left-sided outlet produced a couple of dangerous centres. 6

Cole Palmer (for Foden 80) Fluffed one shooting chance but then created glorious winner. 7

Conor Gallagher (for Mainoo 90) Played out added time. 6

Ezri Konsa (for Saka 90) Saw things out. 6

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