The Netherlands scored two second-half goals in seven minutes to come from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday and set up a Euro 2024 semi-final clash with England. Samet Akaydin put Turkey ahead in the first half, but Stefan de Vrij headed the Netherlands level and Murt Muldur scored against Cody Gakpo’s pressure in the 76th minute to secure the Dutch victory. The build-up to the quarter-final clash in Berlin was overshadowed by a diplomatic row between Turkey and Germany after their round of 16 hero Merih Demiral was suspended for two games for making a controversial greeting. As a result, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the match at the Olympiastadion, along with tens of thousands of fans who greeted each sustained period of Dutch possession with a volley of whistles.
The Netherlands overcame pressure from the stands and Turkey’s energetic style, as well as a series of late chances, to reach the Euro semi-finals for the first time since 2004.
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella deployed five defenders, hoping his young team could catch the Netherlands on the counterattack.
It was the 1988 Euro champions who created the first opportunity, with Gakpo and Memphis Depay linking up well before the latter exploded.
Koeman captained the Netherlands to glory 36 years ago, but until their convincing 3-0 victory over Romania in the round of 16, the Dutch looked incapable of challenging for the trophy, topping their group in third place.
They were weaker again in the first half after their initial forays, allowing Turkey to establish themselves firmly in the game.
Montella’s team began to hold back the Netherlands with a series of set pieces, eventually capitalizing in the 35th minute, when Arda Guler recovered a corner that was only partially deflected.
The 19-year-old Real Madrid ace sent in a tempting cross with his weaker right foot and Akaydin, returning from suspension to replace the suspended Demiral, headed the ball towards the far post.
Turkish fans, who unsurprisingly filled three-quarters of the stadium given their large diaspora in Germany, roared and lit torches in celebration.
Koeman had to shake things up at half-time and replaced Wout Weghorst, the team’s savior against Poland in the opening game, in place of Steven Bergwijn.
Burnley’s burly striker made a quick impact, giving the Netherlands a target to target in attack, which they looked for regularly.
Guler continued to investigate on the other side and was mowed down by Nathan Ake as he threatened to break free.
The youngster took the resulting free-kick himself and hit a low shot at Bart Verbruggen’s post, with the goalkeeper struggling.
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk was booked for fouling the quick Baris Alper Yilmaz as he passed him on the right wing.
Turkey, making their first quarter-final appearance at a major tournament since 2008, almost got a second goal but Verbruggen saved well from Kenan Yildiz’s low shot from the edge of the box.
With 20 minutes remaining, Weghorst forced a clever save from Mert Gunok, but the Turkish goalkeeper was beaten by De Vrij in the 70th minute.
Memphis Depay crossed from a short corner and Inter Milan defender De Vrij headed it in to level the score.
Just six minutes later the Netherlands took the lead when Denzel Dumfries delivered a dangerous low cross, which Muldur slotted into his own net under heavy pressure from Euros top scorer Gakpo. It was the tenth own goal of the tournament.
Although Weghorst was not directly involved in any of the goals, his presence in the box disturbed the Turkish defense that kept the Netherlands at bay during the first half.
Turkey should have equalized, but Zeki Celik and Kerem Akturkoglu had their efforts blocked and the Netherlands survived to fight another day – against England on Wednesday in Dortmund.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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