Netherlands vs England Euro 2024
England aims for a consecutive Euro final appearance as they face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals in Dortmund. Their journey to the semifinals has been lackluster, raising questions about their ability to overcome a strong Dutch side. The quarterfinal victory against Switzerland, achieved through a penalty shootout, highlighted England’s struggles in the attack. A significant improvement is needed if they hope to reach the final against Spain.
England’s performance has been underwhelming, barely scraping through matches against opponents they were expected to dominate. Manager Gareth Southgate acknowledges the pressure on his young team but defends their performance, citing the strong defensive formations of their opponents.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, have had a fluctuating journey, narrowly escaping elimination against Turkey in the quarterfinals. Despite falling behind in several matches, the Dutch have shown resilience, securing three wins in regulation time compared to England’s one. Their potent attack, led by tournament joint top-scorer Cody Gakpo, boasts nine goals from 20 attempts on target, contrasting with England’s 15 attempts and a subdued Harry Kane. The Dutch attack poses a significant threat to England’s solid, yet potentially vulnerable, defense.
The BVB Stadion in Dortmund, Germany, will host the Netherlands Vs England Euro 2024 semifinal. (AP Photo)
While England entered the tournament as favorites, the Netherlands’ unexpected run to the semifinals marks their first appearance at this stage in 20 years. They aim to reach their first final since their 1988 triumph. Dutch coach Ronald Koeman has defended his team’s commitment against criticism, emphasizing their determination and fighting spirit. He anticipates a challenging match against England, acknowledging their quality while expressing confidence in his own squad.
Historically, the Netherlands holds a slight edge over England, with their last encounter resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Dutch in the 2019 UEFA Nations League semifinal. England’s last victory against the Netherlands dates back to a 1-0 friendly win in 2018. Their most memorable encounter remains England’s 4-1 triumph in the Euro 1996 group stage.
The strong Premier League presence in both squads adds an intriguing dimension to the semifinal. Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur, anticipates a high-intensity, fast-paced game due to the familiarity and quality of players from both sides. He expects a closely contested match with a high level of play.
The FIFA rankings place the Netherlands at 7th and England at 5th. In their 22 encounters, the Netherlands has secured 7 wins, England 6, and 9 matches have ended in draws. Recent form shows the Netherlands with a W-W-L-D-W record, while England stands at D-W-D-D-W.
Possible line-ups include Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake, Schouten, Simons, Reijnders, Malen, Depay, and Gakpo for the Netherlands. England’s potential lineup features Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw, Bellingham, Foden, and Kane. The match promises a thrilling encounter between two footballing giants with a rich history and a fierce desire to reach the Euro 2024 final.