Following a tense first two knockout rounds, England’s Three Lions now intention to achieve their second consecutive ultimate as they face the Netherlands in Wednesday’s second Euro 2024 semifinal.
It all comes all the way down to the wire in Dortmund; the winners will face both France or Spain in Sunday’s ultimate.
England has reached its third main match semifinal in 4 makes an attempt, albeit narrowly.
However, Gareth Southgate’s squad, now regulars within the latter phases of Euros and World Cups, is hungry for silverware this summer time.
Their journey to a fourth Euros semifinal was sealed with a dramatic win over Switzerland within the quarterfinals.
Despite trailing to a late aim by Breel Embolo in Dusseldorf, Bukayo Saka’s equalizer pressured further time.
England ultimately triumphed in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout, changing all 5 kicks, whereas Jordan Pickford’s save from Manuel Akanji proved essential.
Despite barely scraping by the group stage and needing Jude Bellingham’s gorgeous strike to spark a comeback in opposition to Slovakia, England’s path has been removed from easy.
Yet, in knockout soccer, outcomes communicate loudest.
Southgate’s one hundred and first recreation in cost sees England aiming to affix an elite group by reaching consecutive Euro finals.
Standing of their method are acquainted foes, the Netherlands, in a showdown that guarantees excessive drama in Berlin this Sunday.
This encounter marks the fourth main match assembly between England and the Netherlands. The Dutch famously received 3-1 en path to Euro ’88 glory due to Marco van Basten’s hat trick.
A forgettable goalless draw adopted on the 1990 World Cup earlier than England’s memorable 4-1 victory in 1996.
Despite their attacking prowess, England faces a problem in opposition to the Netherlands, having received simply one among their final 9 encounters throughout all competitions.
In their most up-to-date encounter, a semifinal, the Netherlands beat England 3-1 after further time within the UEFA Nations League.
Both Gareth Southgate and Ronald Koeman have been on the helm throughout that memorable conflict.
Last weekend, Koeman guided his crew to their first Euro semifinal since 2004 by overcoming a resilient Türkiye at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Similar to England, the Dutch needed to mount a comeback to safe their spot within the ultimate 4.
Trailing by a aim and seemingly on the point of elimination, Stefan de Vrij equalized for the Dutch within the seventieth minute earlier than Cody Gakpo’s strain led to an personal aim from Mert Müldür shortly after.
The Netherlands, searching for their second European title since their triumph 36 summers in the past in Germany, have navigated by what’s thought-about the “weaker” half of the draw, having completed third in Group D.
After defeating Poland, drawing with France, and experiencing a dramatic loss to Austria, the Oranje confronted a comparatively favorable last-16 match in opposition to Romania, which they comfortably received 3-0.
Led by captain Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch squad goals to safe simply their second European Championship semifinal victory.
However, their current document of 4 losses within the final 5 semifinals provides weight to the historic problem they face.
Luke Shaw’s return to Gareth Southgate’s squad as the only real specialist left-back has been eagerly anticipated. The Manchester United defender, who missed England’s first 4 matches on account of a hamstring harm, made a quick look in opposition to Switzerland and has now declared himself match to start out.
Marc Guehi, who impressed earlier within the match, faces competitors from Ezri Konsa for a defensive spot upon his return from suspension. The tactical setup for the match in Dortmund stays unsure, whether or not will probably be a three-man or four-man protection or a mixture of each.
Despite being substituted throughout further time final weekend on account of a cramp, Harry Kane, England’s main aim scorer, is able to improve his spectacular document within the European Championship knockout phases. Kane has scored 5 occasions within the elimination rounds, matching Antoine Griezmann’s document.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands face an important choice of their attacking lineup after Wout Weghorst’s impactful half-time introduction modified the course of their quarterfinal in opposition to Türkiye.
Koeman, who not too long ago prolonged his tenure till 2026, is contemplating whether or not to start out Weghorst alongside Memphis Depay.
However, a decisive position off the bench appears extra seemingly.
Depay and Cody Gakpo have been immediately concerned in 63.5% of the Netherlands’ aim makes an attempt this summer time, contributing to 6 of their 9 objectives.
Koeman is predicted to keep up continuity together with his beginning eleven on Wednesday, with Bart Verbruggen in aim, Virgil van Dijk main from central protection, and Xavi Simons linking midfield to assault.
Source: www.dailysabah.com