By Sergio Silva
06 Jul 2024, 17:47 PM EDT
The quarter-finals of the Euro Cup Germany 2024 The Netherlands closed the curtain on Saturday with a thrilling victory for the national team, which pushed itself to the limit to beat Turkey (2-1) and write its name among the top four in the championship by qualifying for the semi-finals.
Shortly after that England beat Switzerland in a penalty shootout (5-3) In order to advance to the next stage, the Dutch team ended up achieving a victory that now allows them to face the English for a place in the final next Sunday in Berlin.
Led by young talent from real MadridArda Güler, the Turks knew how to put the Netherlands under pressure, who arrived at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin as favourites. The 19-year-old player sent in a cross from the right for Samet Akaydin (m.36) to open the scoring.
The disadvantage served as a motivation for the team led by Ronald Koeman who did not stop looking to equalize the score with the mind set on completing a comeback that would allow them to get into the top four for the first time since 2000 when they finished in third place.
The Dutch’s persistence was rewarded in the 70th minute when defender Stefan de Vrij appeared close to the penalty spot to rise and head home a cross from the right by Mephis Depay. The goal was a real shock for the Turks.
With the score at 1-1, the Netherlands team went for more and ended up receiving their reward, but not before suffering against Turkish attempts to regain the lead. However, a lack of luck punished Turkey, who, although they did not manage to score an extra goal to win, did give their rival a helping hand.
In a confusing play, the Dutch sealed the match thanks to an own goal by Mert Müldür (m.76). Although at first it seemed that Cody Gakpo had finished off a good cross from the right by Denzel Dumfries, in fact a touch by the Turkish defender was what sent the ball in.
A very severe punishment for a Turkey that did not tire of fighting but that in the end saw a Netherlands team that fulfilled the predictions and got into the top four of this Euro Cup Germany 2024.
The Netherlands will now prepare to face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday at Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park, where one of the finalists will be determined and will face the winner of the match between France and Spain on Sunday in Munich on Tuesday.
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