Netherlands overturn Turkey to join England in semi-finals

A mental victory. Trailing 1-0 at half-time after Samet Akaydin’s goal (35th), the Netherlands turned the tide of their quarter-final in six minutes against Turkey on Saturday 6 July in Berlin. Thanks to goals from Stefan De Vrij (70th) and an own goal from Mert Müldür (76th), the Oranje won 2-1 and are back in the semi-finals of the Euro for the first time since 2004.

Having started their match well, with an opportunity for Memphis Depay in the first minute, the Dutch were quickly put in difficulty by enterprising Turks, particularly on the counter. In the 35th minute, it was finally on a magnificent right-footed cross from the nugget, Arda Güler, headed in by Samet Akaydin, that Turkey opened the scoring.

On the attack after the break, the Orange took a while to find the fault, like the header from Wout Weghorst that Memphis Depay failed to push into the back of the net (51st). But they finally found the solution one after the other in six minutes. First thanks to a header from Stefen De Vrij on a corner played by two (70th). Then Cody Gakpo sowed trouble in the Turkish defense pushing Mert Müldur scored an own goal at the far post (76th) thus sealing the Dutch victory.

In an open match, Turkey, despite being deprived of its defender Merih Demiral, sanctioned by UEFA for celebrating his double against Austria with a sign specific to a Turkish far-right organisation, bravely tried his luck and would have even deserved to have at least secured a draw. The Turks indeed had the best chances, like Arda Güller’s direct free-kick which hit the post (56th) and other dangerous shots which forced Bart Verbruggen to save (65th, 91st).

In the semi-final, on Wednesday at 9 p.m., the Netherlands will face England, who won against Switzerland on penalties (1-1, 5-3).