2024-07-13 03:49:01
The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkey (2-1) on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin and qualified for the semi-finals of the European Championship, which they will play against England, who won on penalties against Switzerland (5-3 after a 1-1 draw) on Wednesday in Dortmund.
On the other side of the draw, Spain and France, who qualified on Friday, will face each other on Tuesday in Munich.
In a spectacular atmosphere in the German capital, Turkey had taken the lead with a header from Samet Akaydin (35) but the Netherlands turned it around with goals from Stefan De Vrij (70) and Mert Müldür’s own goal (76).
The Netherlands, European champions in 1988, will contest their first continental semi-final since 2004, the sixth in their history.
“I’m very proud of these lads, seeing their reaction, we gave everything we had, with tackles and saves. Now it’s time to rest and prepare for another tough match,” said Oranje captain Virgil Van Dijk.
The match on Saturday was played in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a preliminary round marked by diplomatic tension between Turkey and Germany.
In the hours leading up to the game, Berlin police had stopped a march of Ottoman fans after they made a mass gesture in a gesture similar to the “Grey Wolves”, a Turkish far-right group.
The same gesture was made by centre-back Merih Demiral to celebrate his goals against Austria in the round of 16, for which he was sanctioned by UEFA, prompting criticism in Turkey.
– Guler, a glove –
Aggressive in their duels, very focused on defence and decisive on set pieces, Turkey did what it needed in the first half to put the Netherlands on the ropes.
Arda Guler, a glove on his boot, put in a very tight ball from the edge of the area that Samet Akaydin headed with power at the far post to make it 1-0.
The 19-year-old Real Madrid attacking midfielder leaves as one of the tournament’s biggest names, having scored a superb goal against Georgia and having scored two goals for his team from set pieces against Austria (2-1) in the round of 16.
His display continued in the second half (55), with a free kick from far away that hit the post.
By then, Ronald Koeman had revived his faltering attack with the introduction of striker Wout Weghorst, the Oranje’s wild card from the bench.
The powerful striker made an immediate impact, heading a ball to Memphis Depay that was just inches wide (51). Twenty minutes later he pounced on an aerial ball but his unorthodox shot was met by goalkeeper Mert Günok.
This was followed by a one-way duel: the Netherlands moved the ball around and tried to find a gap in a supportive Turkish block, fuelled by the enthusiasm of the crowd.
– Two goals in six minutes –
The Dutch finally got their reward when Depay crossed into the area and De Vrij stretched to connect with a perfect header into the net.
Then came the lateral pass that was passed around the area until Gakpo appeared between two defenders to finish together with Müldür to make it 2-1.
Turkey had to go all out and came close to equalising. Micky Van de Ven saved a shot from Mehmet Celik off the line and Cenk Tosun headed wide (88).
With time up, Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen sealed the deal with a point-blank shot from the Turkish attack.
