Netherlands 2-1 Turkey: Ronald Koeman's side score TWICE in six minutes to complete comeback in Berlin and set up semi-final clash against England at Euro 2024

  • LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Why Southgate is talking 'nonsense' about England's Euro 2024 draw 
  • Netherlands scored twice in six minutes to come from behind and beat Turkey
  • Ronald Koeman's side will take on England in their semi-final clash of Euro 2024 

A familiar shade of orange will greet England in Dortmund after the Netherlands fought back from behind to put out the Turkish fire in Berlin.

Not the most brilliant of orange. Quite an ordinary orange in fact. But Ronald Koeman's team have a fighting quality and a refusal to accept defeat which is serving them well, and they are entitled to think England are no great shakes either.

They also have history on their side because the Dutch have lost only once to the English in competitive football.


That was at Euro 96 at Wembley. Gareth Southgate will remember it well. He might even regale his players with that one. Koeman might prefer to rekindle the qualifiers for the 1994 World Cup.

'It will be a great night on Wednesday between two big nations historically,' said Koeman. 

Netherlands booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Turkey on Saturday

Netherlands booked their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals after beating Turkey on Saturday

Ronald Koeman's side came from behind - and scored twice in six minutes - to stun Turkey

Ronald Koeman's side came from behind - and scored twice in six minutes - to stun Turkey

Defender Stefan de Vrij sparked the comeback with his powerful header in the 70th minute

Defender Stefan de Vrij sparked the comeback with his powerful header in the 70th minute

Then, shortly after, Turkey wing-back Mert Muldur accidentally steered the ball into his net

Then, shortly after, Turkey wing-back Mert Muldur accidentally steered the ball into his net

'If we play the final my personal preference is Spain because we had France in the group, but first of all we must prepare ourselves to play a good semi-final.'

England have not been firing in Germany but they have no need to quake in fear against opponents who were transformed by the introduction of Wout Weghorst. Koeman's side were so much more coherent with Weghorst leading the line in the second half, providing a focal point for their attacking energy.

The Netherland's untidy winner was forced home by Cody Gakpo, sliding in to force a low cross by Denzel Dumfries over the line at the back post to the surprise of Turkey wing-back Mert Muldur, who got the final touch and claimed he had been fouled.

There was no intervention by the officials, however, and the Dutch dug in to defend the lead through a chaotic closing spell of desperate defending featuring a vital clearance by Micky van de Ven and an exceptional late save by Bart Verbruggen to foil Cenk Tosun.

'One step closer, now we must get to work against England,' said captain Virgil van Dijk. 'We started well then became sloppy. Luckily, we didn't give any more away. In the second half we had to stay calm and take our chances.

It was heartbreak for Turkey who had been in the driving seat for most of the match

It was heartbreak for Turkey who had been in the driving seat for most of the match

Samet Akaydin put Turkey ahead with a terrific header in the first-half at the Olympiastadion

Samet Akaydin put Turkey ahead with a terrific header in the first-half at the Olympiastadion

'Of course we thought it would turn out well. It would be very bad if we ever stopped believing. We knew the chances would come and that we had to take them. We did that.

'You know that at times you have to take a lot of risks, but now we are in the semi-finals.

'This is very important. I am proud of these guys.'

There was also a flurry of yellow cards including one for Turkey boss Vincenzo Montella and a red for Bertug Yildirim, one of his unused substitutes.

Turkey were never going to leave quietly. They have brought passion and unrelenting noise to Euro 2024 with the huge resident support in Germany, and Montella's depleted side gave it their all.

They were without centre-half Merih Demiral, two-goal hero of their win against Austria who was banned for two games for celebrating with a hand gesture associated with a far-right extremist organisation with links to Turkey's ruling coalition.

Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek were also missing through suspension. Six of those starting knew a yellow card would mean missing the semi-final if they were to win, although it had no influence on their approach.

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven (right) made a crucial block late on for Netherlands

Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven (right) made a crucial block late on for Netherlands

Ronald Koeman barked orders to his side from the touchline in the nervy final moments

Ronald Koeman barked orders to his side from the touchline in the nervy final moments

There were high speed collisions and a breathless tempo from the outset. The Dutch showed first, making the brighter start without testing the goalkeeper before Turkey settled midway through the first half and started to dominate.

Salih Ozcan drove one effort of the game over from just outside the penalty area and Abdulkerim Bardakci stretched to reach a free-kick curled into the box by Hakan Calhanoglu but was unable to direct it on target.

Kenan Yildiz fired over and then the pressure told and they took the lead, a goal headed in by Samet Akaydin from a delicious, teasing cross by Arda Guler. It came from a corner needlessly conceded by the Dutch. Dumfries ushered the ball over the line expecting a goal kick, unaware of the deflection it had taken off Nathan Ake.

Van Dijk headed the initial corner clear but only to Guler who checked onto his right foot and drifted the ball across.

Verbruggen was tempted from his line only to realise the cross was spinning away from him and the Dutch were overloaded at the back post, where Fenerbache centre-half Akaydin rose from the crowd of white shirts to head into the net from close range.

Weghorst's first contribution was to nod one down towards Memphis Depay, who came sliding in at speed but could not turn it into the net.

The replays suggested Weghorst might have been offside but there was no flag and that passage of play lifted Dutch spirits. Those in orange made themselves heard. Akaydin glanced a cross by Gakpo narrowly wide of his own goal.

But the Turks remained a threat. They broke quickly, directly and with menace. Ake, winning his 50th international cap, picked up a yellow card for a foul on Guler as they raced after a flick by Baris Yildiz.

It was 30 yards out but Guler went for goal, bending it low around the defensive wall with his left foot. The 19-year-old Real Madrid forward is blessed with audacious talent on the ball.

Turkey will be disappointed with their late capitulation that cost them a place in the semi-final

Turkey will be disappointed with their late capitulation that cost them a place in the semi-final

Turkey went close against form another free kick, partially cleared and struck fiercely from the edge for the penalty box by Yildiz. Verbruggen made a fine save to push out the low drive which came at him through a crowd of legs.

Mert Gunok's first save of the night was to turn a mishit volley by Weghorst wide and the equaliser came from the corner. Depay took it short, picked up the return and delivered from the right. Stefan de Vrij was unmarked as he leapt from 10 yards out and found the net with a powerful header.

Six minutes later came the winner to spark the Dutch celebrations.

'For the whole nation it's something special,' said Koeman. 'We are really proud. We had to suffer but in the whole Euros there is not an easy one. They put everything into it and it was an emotional match.

'We had a big heart. Sometimes we're criticised for that compared to other nations and the players showed a big heart after 1-0 down. It's a great success to have the opportunity to play the semi-final.'