Wout Weghorst became the Dutch hero in their quarter-final clash against Turkey, securing a dramatic victory. Now, the Netherlands face England in a highly anticipated Euro 2024 semi-final on July 10. [Justin Setterfield/Getty Images]
Published: July 8, 2024
The stage is set for a Euro 2024 semi-final showdown as England prepares to face the Netherlands at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund. England’s journey to this point has been marked by underwhelming performances, while the Netherlands arrive fresh from a hard-fought quarter-final victory against Turkey. This upcoming match on Wednesday, July 10th, promises to be a captivating encounter between two European football giants.
Match Details at a Glance:
- Teams: Netherlands vs England
- Competition: Euro 2024 Semifinal
- Venue: BVB Stadion, Dortmund, Germany
- Date: Wednesday, July 10, 2024
- Kick-off Time: 9:00 PM CET (7:00 PM GMT)
- Live Coverage: Follow live text commentary and pre-match build-up on EuroDripUSA starting four hours before kick-off.
England heads into this semi-final with aspirations of reaching their second consecutive Euro final. However, their path through Euro 2024 has been far from convincing. Despite progressing to the final four, their performances have been described as “drab,” and questions linger about their ability to find the spark needed to conquer Europe.
Their quarterfinal victory against Switzerland, secured via a penalty shootout, offered a moment of relief rather than jubilation. The uninspired display once again highlighted the need for a significant attacking transformation if they hope to overcome the Netherlands and advance to the final against Spain.
England’s Struggle for Spark
Gareth Southgate’s squad has navigated their way to the semi-finals with performances that have failed to ignite the tournament. Against opponents deemed beatable on paper, England has appeared sluggish and lacked the attacking fluidity expected of a top contender.
“These are high-stakes international tournaments with immense pressure, especially on young players. Our team has been under scrutiny from the outset. They are managing incredibly well,” Southgate commented, acknowledging the pressure his team is facing.
“We are currently finding it difficult to score freely. However, it’s worth noting that we have faced three teams who deployed well-organized defensive formations with five defenders.”
Netherlands: Resilience Forged in Turkey Victory
In contrast, the Netherlands’ journey has been a rollercoaster, marked by resilience and dramatic comebacks. Just moments away from elimination in their quarter-final against Turkey, the Dutch displayed remarkable fighting spirit to turn the tide and secure a place in the semi-finals.
Their quarter-final victory against Turkey was a testament to their tenacity. Overcoming adversity, the Netherlands showcased their ability to perform under pressure, a crucial attribute as they prepare to face England. This win has undoubtedly boosted their morale and confidence heading into the crucial semi-final clash.
This fighting spirit has been a recurring theme for the Netherlands throughout Euro 2024. They have conceded the first goal in three out of their four scoring matches, demonstrating a tendency to start slowly but possess the resolve to recover. Interestingly, all three of their victories have come within regulation time, compared to England’s single regulation-time win.
Attacking Prowess: Dutch Edge?
Statistically, the Netherlands appear to have a slight advantage in attack. They have scored nine goals in Euro 2024 from 20 shots on target, while England has managed 15 shots on target with fewer goals. England’s usually prolific attacking trio of Harry Kane, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham have yet to reach their peak form in this tournament.
The Netherlands will rely on Cody Gakpo, the tournament’s joint top scorer, to trouble the English defense, which, despite conceding few goals, hasn’t been tested to its limits by potent attacks.
While England entered Euro 2024 as one of the pre-tournament favorites, the Netherlands’ semi-final appearance is arguably more unexpected. This marks their first semi-final in the UEFA European Championship in 20 years. The Dutch are now aiming for their first final since their historic Euro 1988 triumph – their only major international trophy.
Just like England, the Netherlands has faced criticism regarding their performances. Coach Ronald Koeman has publicly defended his team’s commitment, emphasizing the “big heart” displayed by his players in their comeback win against Turkey.
“We must fight to win this semi-final,” Koeman asserted. “Wednesday will be a fantastic night as two historically significant footballing nations collide. England boasts talented players, but so do we.”
Historically, the Netherlands holds a slightly superior record in head-to-head encounters against England. Their last meeting was in the 2019 UEFA Nations League semi-final, where the Netherlands emerged victorious 3-1 after extra time.
England has only managed one win in their last nine encounters with the Netherlands across all competitions – a 1-0 friendly win in Amsterdam in 2018. Their most memorable victory against the Dutch came at Euro 1996, a thrilling 4-1 group stage win where Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham both scored twice, overshadowing a consolation goal from a young Patrick Kluivert.
The iconic BVB Stadion in Dortmund, home of Borussia Dortmund, will host the crucial Euro 2024 semi-final between Netherlands and England. [Martin Meissner/AP] (AP Photo)
Premier League Connection
The strong presence of Premier League players in both squads adds another layer of intrigue to this semi-final. Dutch defender Micky van de Ven believes this Premier League influence could contribute to an exhilarating match.
While the majority of the England squad plays domestically, the Netherlands’ 26-man squad includes seven players from Premier League clubs.
“Considering the quality within both teams, I anticipate a high level and intense rhythm of play,” Tottenham Hotspur’s Van de Ven stated at a press conference.
“Ideally, we would dominate possession and force England to do more running, but I am expecting a very high-intensity game.”
Key Stats: Netherlands vs England
FIFA Ranking:
- Netherlands: 7th
- England: 5th
Head-to-Head Record (22 matches):
- Netherlands Wins: 7
- England Wins: 6
- Draws: 9
Recent Form (Last Five Matches):
- Netherlands: W-W-L-D-W
- England: D-W-D-D-W
Possible Starting Lineups:
- Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Simons, Reijnders; Malen, Depay, Gakpo
- England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Source: EuroDripUSA and news agencies
