Two goals within five-and-a-half minutes turned this game on its head and the Netherlands booked their place in a Euro 2024 semi-final against England.
Turkey had been in a relatively secure 1-0 lead thanks to Samet Akaydin’s first-half header, but Stefan de Vrij’s equaliser was swiftly followed by a Mert Muldur own goal, forced by Liverpool‘s Cody Gakpo who continued his stellar campaign in Germany to seal a 2-1 victory.
The four semi-finals are now set and England will face Ronald Koeman’s side in Dortmund on Wednesday, with the winner set to take on either Spain or France.
England had found themselves with a fairly comfortable route to the final, despite needing extra-time to get past Slovakia and penalties to overcome Switzerland, and have been handed their biggest test yet.
The Netherlands have similarly underwhelmed despite reaching the final four but have a strong backline that includes captain Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake, complemented by matchwinners Gakpo and Memphis Depay up front.
Depay, who has scored 46 goals in his 97 international appearances, lifted the ball to the back post for Inter Milan defender De Vrij to power home and spark their second-half comeback.
Then former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst won the ball back on the edge of the Turkey area just moments later, before Denzel Dumfries was found on the right who laid a cross into the path of Gakpo, but the ball was smothered into the back of the net instead by Turkey defender Muldur.
The Netherlands had Brighton & Hove Albion FC goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to thank for a point-blank save in stoppage time, getting down low to prevent Semih Kilicsoy and prompt congratulations from his back four, before the final whistle blew and the Dutch stars dropped to their feet in jubilation.
Despite a brutal exit at the hands of the Dutch, Turkey and boss Vincenzo Montella can hold their heads up high after an impressive performance and the breakout of wonderkid Arda Guler.
The 19-year-old Real Madrid winger provided another assist in Berlin and clearly has a very bright future ahead of him and will toast to plenty of success, though tonight belonged to the celebrating Dutch.
That party was led by Van Dijk, though he soon turned his attention to England in a few days’ time and is under no illusions about the task at hand.
“We did everything we could to reach the semi-finals,” he said. “Now it’s time to recover and prepare for another tough match. We can get to work. We all want to make our dream come true. We are one step closer.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk