The Netherlands booked a date with England in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 after beating Turkey 2-1 in the quarter-final.
Turkey fielded a much-changed side following a number of suspensions, including to Merih Demiral, the scorer of both their goals in the last 16 win against Austria.
The Dutch retained most of their side that beat Romania, with Nathan Ake pulling through after undergoing a late fitness test.
But it was Turkey who grabbed the opener not long before half-time, with Arda Guler crossing to Samet Akaydin, who made no mistake with his header to give his side a deserved lead.
Guler hit the post in the second half, while substitute Wout Weghorst was heavily involved, going close with two headers.
The Dutch found a way back into the match through Stefan de Vrij, who headed home from a corner to make it 1-1.
A few minutes later, they had the lead.
Mert Muldur turned the ball into his own net from a Denzel Dumfries cross, although Cody Gakpo was there to pounce if he did not touch the ball himself.
Turkey battled back and forced two huge blocks from De Vrij and Micky van de Ven, and it was a real battling performance in the final 10 minutes as the Dutch held on.
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How it happened
The Dutch were met with mass boos every time they got on the ball as the Turkey fans packed inside the stadium made their voices heard.
Memphis Depay had a very early chance for his side after weaving into the box but skied his effort with just seconds on the clock.
As many expected, it was an end-to-end affair in the early stages, with Turkey looking to hit the Dutch on the counter-attack.
There was not much for Bart Verbruggen to do, but he needed to stay alert to ensure he was not caught out.
Cody Gakpo once again looked dangerous, weaving through a number of Turkish players and going down outside the box, but the theme from the referee on the night was to let play flow as much as possible.
The wide players were proving to be key for Vincenzo Montella’s side, they were always keen to turn on the ball and run at their markers, making life difficult for the Dutch defence.
🥶#EURO2024 | #NEDTUR pic.twitter.com/0GAyFFUPGU
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
Much of the first half passed without any efforts on target, but there was an exciting feel to the game, which was finely balanced.
Hakan Calhanoglou, who had returned from injury, was Turkey’s biggest threat from set pieces, more than once delivering a dangerous ball that could not be converted.
Despite this, it was Real Madrid’s Guler who provided the assist for the opener.
With the ball falling to him from a half-cleared corner, the young midfielder delivered the ball to the back post, where Akaydin was waiting to convert.
Turkey continued to push until the half-time whistle, with little Dutch reply.
Wout Weghorst was brought on in the second half and was involved in the Dutch’s first big move after the break.
He headed an Ake switch across to Depay in the box, but the forward could not poke it home, although the flag went up for offside anyway.
He nearly fired one home a few minutes later, but his flicked header sailed just past the post.
🟠 Netherlands digging deep 💪#EURO2024 | #NEDTUR pic.twitter.com/kd6StfG30J
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 6, 2024
At the other end, Guler rattled the post from a free-kick that after replays, showed Bart Verbruggen got the slightest fingertips to the strike.
Calhanoglou delivered another free-kick that was followed up by the Turks, only for Verbruggen again to stand up to the strike.
The Dutch finally hit back with 20 minutes to go.
De Vrij rose highest from a corner to head into the net and rally his side as they looked to push on and win the match.
And that is exactly what they did.
Breaking down the right-hand side, Dumfries delivered a dangerous low ball across the box towards Gakpo, who stumbled when trying to poke the ball home, but it was turned in any way by Muldur.
At the dying minutes, it was backs against the wall for the Dutch, who relied on Van de Ven and De Vrij to pull out two huge moments to prevent a Turkey equaliser.
Verbruggen then had to make a reflex save that left the Turkey players stunned.
Five minutes were added on at the end of the game, but a brilliantly entertaining Turkey side could not break through and can head home holding their heads held high following a stellar tournament.
What next for the Netherlands at Euro 2024?
The Netherlands will face 2020 finalists England in Dortmund on Wednesday night,
An already eagerly anticipated match will kick-off at 8pm with a place in the final on the line.
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The winner of that will face either France or Spain in the final next Sunday.
England squeezed into the semi-finals themselves, beating Switzerland on penalties.
