The Netherlands suffered, but the Netherlands are in the semi-finals of the Euro, 20 years after their last appearance in the last four of this competition. This Saturday, July 6, Turkey put up a good fight, and even opened the score, before putting on enormous pressure in the last minutes, but the Oranje won 2-1 and will meet England again.
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Despite the opening goal by the Turks, galvanized by the atmosphere and the diplomatic context, the Netherlands were able to turn the tide on Saturday in Berlin to win (2-1) and qualify for the semi-finals of Euro-2024 where they will face England. The Olympiastadion, invaded by the Turkish red tide heated to white heat by the controversy over the political gesture that had earned defender Merih Demiral a two-match suspension, had all the makings of a trap for Ronald Koeman’s men.
Demiral, who had celebrated his decisive double against Austria (2-1) in the previous round, by making the sign of recognition of the Grey Wolvesa Turkish far-right organisation, had even caused a diplomatic row between Ankara and Berlin, with the respective ambassadors being summoned. The pre-match, with the interruption of the Turkish supporters’ procession by the Berlin police, because too many supporters repeated the controversial gesture, and the Turkish anthem, where the sign had also been widely repeated in the red rows of the stadium, had done nothing to lighten the atmosphere.
Erdogan was at the stadium
Under the watchful eye of their president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey started the match ideally, marvellously developing the 5-2-3 spider web imagined by coach Vincenzo Montella and which had already worked so well against Austria. If Ronald Koeman had advised his players, before the match, to ” keep the ball ” For ” calm “The Turks, his players mostly seemed to self-anaesthetize themselves during the first half. They were not worried much either, Turkey relying almost exclusively on the brilliance of Arda Güler or the aggressiveness of Baris Alper Yilmaz, capable of contesting headed balls with Virgil van Dijk, to whom he is almost 10 cm taller.
But the Turks had another fatal weapon: set pieces. It was on this type of phase that Austria had given in twice and it was again after a poorly cleared corner that Güler curled a marvelous cross for the head of Samet Akaydin, Demiral’s replacement, who opened the scoring at the far post (1-0, 35th).
Verbruggen saves the homeland
Turkey will regret the big chances left along the way with a long-range free-kick from Güler that hit the outside of the post and a reflex save from Bart Verbruggen on a shot from Kenan Yildiz at the edge of the area (65th). The Dutch goalkeeper was again remarkable on his line at the start of added time (90+1), a few minutes after being saved by Micky van de Ven on an attempt by Zeki Cleik (85th). But Koeman’s coaching and the quality of the Dutch game ended up making the difference.
At half-time, the coach decided to put some muscle up front, with the entry of Wout Weghorst who allowed Memphis Depay, who had been little-known until then, to become the conductor of the Oranje. On a corner won by Weghorts, Depay perfectly served Stefan de Vrij whose smashed header left no chance for Mert Günok (1-1, 70th).
Six minutes later, it was Denzel Dumfries, repositioned as a winger, who delivered a low cross that Mert Müldür, under threat from Cody Gakpo, could only push into the back of his own net (2-1, 76th).
A bitter epilogue for the Turks who, on the pitch at least, will have seduced with their panache and solidarity. The Netherlands, who have reached the semi-finals of the Euro for the first time since 2008, will have no complexes about facing England on Wednesday 10 July in Dortmund, while the other semi-final will pit France against Spain the day before in Munich.