New Delhi: Netherlands will face England in the semi-final of UEFA Euro 2024. Netherlands are chasing their second European Championship title while England were runners up of the previous edition.
Netherlands started their tournament with a 2-1 win over Poland, a draw with France, and a 3-2 loss to Austria. The Oranje entered the knockout stage with inconsistent performances. However, they showed character in both their elimination stage games.
Given that Romania were considerably inexperienced in this tournament, the Dutch side took advantage of this and ended the night with a 3-0 win. Progressing to the quarter-finals, Netherlands next opponent were the highly spirited Turkey. In the half-time, the game favoured Turkey as they headed in the break 1-0. Netherland needed a comeback and it came in the 70th minute with Stefan de Vrij scoring the levelling goal followed by an own goal from Turkey with Cody Gapko charging into the nets.
England on the other hand are yet to hit the intensity level expected of a team playing in the elimination. Throughout the tournament they haven’t performed well despite having star players in their side and won once in the group stage and drawing twice. Until the round of 16, the team had a total of four goals with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham scoring two each.
Against Slovenia in the knockout 16 stage, England won the game only in the extra time thanks to Bellingham and Kane both firing quick goals. In the quarter-final, the game remained goalless till the 75th minute when Breel Embolo scored for Switzerland. In the 80th minute, Bukayo Saka helped England with a levelling goal. The match went into the extra time and was finally decided with spot kicking which England won 5-3.
The Poor English attack
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY – JULY 06: Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane of England react during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between England and Switzerland at Düsseldorf Arena on July 06, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
England’s attackers have been appalling in many senses. They have scored only five goals in this entire tournament. The likes of Bellingham, Kane and Phil Foden haven’t been in the impressive form they had been during their club games. A lot of expectation was on Bellingham who was the joint third-highest goal scorer with 19 goals in La Liga season 2023-24. Though the midfielder has scored twice, it hasn’t been at the flair expected from him. His captain, too, has scored twice in this tournament. Kane had helped Bayern Munich go undefeated this season, scoring 36 goals from 32 appearances.
Bukayo Saka had scored 16 times this season for Arsenal in the Premier League but, so far in the tournament, has only one goal. Phil Foden had a good season with 19 goals in the Premier League for Manchester United but, so far, hasn’t made any impact in this tournament. The Three Lions also have the second lowest chances created in this tournament. What England does need to address now is their low-scoring and tactical challenges. Their star players must attack the opposite goalpost more in the remaining two games.
Netherlands defend needs to be more impregnable.
BERLIN, GERMANY – JULY 6: Virgil van Dijk of Netherland and teammates celebrate after the second goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Netherlands and Türkiye at Olympiastadion on July 6, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jürgen Fromme – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
While England’s attack isn’t solid, they have been one of the best sides in this tournament in terms of their defence line. While they have conceded only thrice, the Dutch side is much more susceptible to attacks on their goalpost.
As soon as they are in possession, Netherlands back-four converts to a three-man defence, with Ake moving forward. This means there’s an extra player in their attack but that also means their defense is under pressure. The backline often presses high in order to cross the halfway line and apply pressure on the opposition. They have to ensure that they are not so vulnerable during counter attacks.
Rich history
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JUNE 18: England player Alan Shearer (l) scores the third goal during the European Championship Finals group match between England and Holland at Wembley, on June 18, 1996 in London, England. England won the match 4-1. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The two sides first met in 1935 in Olympisch Stadion, Amsterdam where England won 1-0 and have since played each other 22 times. Through the years thewse two sides have met each other at crucial stages.
England’s best moment in all these years was their Euro ’96 win when Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham scored a brace each in their 4-1 victory over the Dutch side. The win helped them qualify for the quarter-finals of that tournament. In terms of Euros, in the 1988 edition of the European Championship, Marco van Basten’s hat-trick won them 3-1 against the English side that lost all three games in the tournament. The Netherlands, on the other hand, won the trophy.
Will England’s defense win or will the Dutch attack take their side for only their second Euros final? Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
