6th July, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Netherlands landed in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday after coming back from a goal down to defeat hard-fighting Turkey 2-1 in Germany.
Netherlands will now play England in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Turkey shockingly opened the scoring in the 35th minute of the game. Arda Guler produced a beautiful lofted cross into the box where Samet Akaydin rose high to head the ball off the crossbar into the roof of the net.
In the 56th minute, Guler lashed in a mid-range free kick and his effort crashed against the left post.
Ten minutes later, Kenan Yildiz got to the rebound on the edge of the box and smashed the ball towards goal, but Bart Verbruggen was alert and made a great save to deny him.
Netherlands equalised in the 70th minute. Stefan de Vrij scored with a brilliant shot into the roof of the net after being released inside the box by a superb lofted pass from Memphis Depay.
Six minute later, Netherlands took the lead from an own goal. It was a pitiful moment for Mert Muldur, who tried to clear a cross into the six-yard box but instead sent the ball behind his own keeper.
In the 89th minute, Mert Gunok was forced into action to thwart Cody Gakpo. He found himself some space after latching on to a pass and unleashed a shot to the bottom left corner but could not beat the keeper.
Semih Kilicsoy, one minute into added time, picked up a lofted cross inside the box and fired a quick shot to the middle of the goal. His promising effort was kept out by Bart Verbruggen, who pulled off a stunning save.
