SportwayNews

Netherlands into Euro 2024 semifinal against England after beating Turkey

The Netherlands displayed resilience as they overcame a deficit to secure a 2-1 victory against Turkey on Saturday, advancing to the European Championship semifinals.

An own goal by Mert Muldur in the 76th minute, just six minutes after Stefan De Vrij equalized following Samet Akaydin’s first-half header for Turkey, ensured the Dutch win in the final quarterfinal match.

“It was really a battle today,” De Vrij commented. “The Turkish team has a big heart and a lot of quality. In the end, we did well and deserved the win.”

The tide turned in the Netherlands' favor when 1.97-meter-tall (6-foot-5) striker Wout Weghorst entered the game for the second half.

“He’s always fighting up front, helping the team. We started to keep the ball, create chances,” De Vrij said. “Then we scored two goals and the whole team fought until the end.”

The Netherlands will face England in the second semifinal in Dortmund on Wednesday, while Spain meets France in the first semifinal on Tuesday.

“The players showed tonight a big heart,” Dutch coach Ronald Koeman said. “We had to suffer but finally it’s a great success.”

Turkey was without defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two matches by UEFA for making a nationalistic hand gesture after scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Austria. The gesture is associated with an ultra-nationalist group in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the game after altering his plans due to the diplomatic row with Germany over Demiral’s gesture. German interior minister Nancy Faeser had criticized Demiral’s celebration as “a platform for racism,” while federal minister Cem Özdemir, a German politician of Turkish descent, condemned it as a symbol of “terror, fascism.”

Many Turkish fans made the gesture en route to Berlin’s Olympiastadion and during Turkey’s national anthem before the game.

The Dutch began strongly, but Turkey’s defense managed to contain the threats posed by Cody Gapko, Xavi Simons, and Memphis Depay. Employing a five-man defense without the ball, Turkey gradually found their rhythm.

Akaydin capitalized on Turkish pressure, heading in a perfect cross from Arda Guler in the 35th minute. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Turkey’s supporters and coaching staff, with flares set off by fans.

Turkish supporters significantly outnumbered their orange-clad counterparts in Berlin, home to a large Turkish community. Germany hosts around 3 million people of Turkish descent, forming the country’s largest ethnic minority and providing fervent support for the team at Euro 2024.

In response to the halftime deficit, Koeman brought on Weghorst, whose presence revitalized the Dutch attack.

Guler hit the post with a free kick, but Dutch pressure soon paid off. De Vrij headed in Depay’s cross in the 70th minute, equalizing the score.

The Dutch supporters roared back to life, and their cheers grew louder when Gapko forced Muldur’s own goal by getting in front of the defender to Denzel Dumfries’ low cross.

“We didn’t start the second half very well and fell behind,” Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu remarked. “After their second goal, we turned to long balls. Such things happen. It’s an honor to have come this far.

Canada survives penalty shootout against Venezuela to make surprise Copa América semifinals