Goals are anticipated when the Netherlands face Turkey at Euro 2024. Here’s our prediction and preview for the final quarter-final matchup between the Netherlands and Turkey.
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Netherlands vs Turkey: Match Preview
The fourth quarter-final at Euro 2024 features the Netherlands taking on Turkey in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.
Ronald Koeman’s side found their form in the last 16 after struggling in the group stage, defeating Romania with a convincing 3-0 scoreline.
Turkey, on the other hand, secured a 2-1 victory over Austria in a thrilling match, with goalkeeper Mert Günok making what is arguably the save of the tournament so far, ensuring Vincenzo Montella’s team avoided extra-time.
Turkey aims to win three consecutive matches at the European Championship for the first time and only the second time in major tournaments, having achieved this at the 2002 World Cup when they reached the semi-finals.
Data from this tournament suggests we can expect plenty of goalmouth action. Both teams rank in the top eight for expected goals (xG) at Euro 2024, with the Netherlands (6.56) in sixth place and Turkey (6.11) in eighth. The Netherlands have had the fifth-most shots (63) in the competition, while Turkey have had the sixth-most (57).
Both teams have a strong attacking focus, but defensively, the Dutch have a clear advantage, which is unsurprising given the presence of players like Stefan de Vrij, Nathan Aké, and Virgil van Dijk in their squad.
Koeman’s team has recorded 3.84 expected goals against (xGA) across their four matches, compared to Turkey’s 8.0. In fact, Montella’s side has faced the most shots (59) among the teams in the tournament’s last eight.
The Netherlands have advanced from five of their last seven major tournament quarter-finals. However, one of the two exceptions was their most recent quarter-final, where they lost in a penalty shootout to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup.
This is their first European Championship quarter-final since 2008 when they lost 3-1 to Russia. Additionally, they have only progressed from three of their last nine knockout ties in the competition.
Turkey is competing in their fourth major tournament quarter-final, having previously reached this stage at Euro 2000, the 2002 World Cup, and Euro 2008. They advanced to the semi-finals in the latter two tournaments but were defeated 2-0 by Portugal in 2000.
Discipline will be crucial for Turkey, as they have accumulated 18 yellow cards at Euro 2024. In European Championship history, only the Czech Republic in 1996 has received more cards in a single edition (20 – 19 yellows, one red).
Montella’s team has received at least two cards in each of their last 24 matches at major tournaments. They will need to be cautious, particularly in their efforts to contain Cody Gakpo. Gakpo’s stunning goal against Romania brought his total to three for the tournament, making him a joint top scorer ahead of the quarter-finals.
Across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, the only European player with more goals than Gakpo (six) is Kylian Mbappé (nine).
All six of Gakpo’s goals have come in different matches; the only Dutch players to score in more separate games at major tournaments are Dennis Bergkamp (10), Robin van Persie (8), and Wesley Sneijder (7).
Turkey, meanwhile, will look to Arda Güler for inspiration, especially after he assisted Merih Demiral’s winner against Austria. The 19-year-old is one of just three teenagers to both score and assist a goal in a single Euros, following Wayne Rooney (4 goals, 1 assist) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2 goals, 2 assists) at Euro 2004.
Turkey has given six starts to teenagers at Euro 2024 – three each for Kenan Yildiz and Güler – tying the record for a single edition of the finals, along with Spain at Euro 2020 (6, all for Pedri).
Montella will be without Demiral, who was suspended for two games by the UEFA Appeals Body for: “Failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”
Netherlands vs Turkey: Head-to-Head
This will be the 15th international meeting between the Netherlands and Turkey.
The Oranje have won six of the previous 14 encounters, while Türkiye has won four, with the remaining matches ending in draws. Notably, this is the first time these two teams will face each other in a major tournament.
Based on recent meetings, Saturday’s clash promises to be thrilling. The last two matches between the Netherlands and Turkey have produced a total of 13 goals (an average of 6.5 per game). Turkey won 4-2 in March 2021, and the Oranje triumphed 6-1 in September 2021, both during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Netherlands vs Türkiye: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Netherlands: Team News
The Netherlands head into their Euro 2024 quarter-final matchup against Turkey with plenty of momentum after their convincing 3-0 victory over Romania in the Round of 16.
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo was particularly impressive, scoring his third goal of the tournament in the 20th minute and assisting Donyell Malen for the second goal in the 83rd minute to secure the win.
Gakpo’s performance earned him his second Player of the Match award of the Euros. He has been one of the tournament’s standout players and will be crucial to the Dutch hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
While Gakpo has been a key figure in a front six that Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has experimented with during the tournament, Joey Veerman has been replaced in the starting lineup by Tijjani Reijnders since being substituted against Austria after only 33 minutes. Malen is expected to replace Steven Bergwijn after scoring two goals against Romania.
In defense, Denzel Dumfries has secured his place at right back. Koeman dropped him against Austria in favor of Lutsharel Geertruida, who struggled as the Dutch defense conceded three goals.
The Dutch defense, despite the presence of Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Aké, looked shaky throughout the group stage and will need to tighten up against a dangerous Turkish team.
Netherlands: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Verbruggen
- Defenders: Aké, van Dijk, De Vrij, Dumfries
- Midfielders: Reijnders, Schouten, Simons
- Forwards: Gakpo, Malen, Depay
Turkey: Team News
Turkey survived a tense ending in their Euro 2024 last-16 match against Austria to secure a quarter-final clash with the Netherlands on Saturday.
The Turkish team performed admirably against one of the tournament’s most in-form sides, but their 2-1 victory was hard-earned, thanks to a crucial last-minute save by goalkeeper Mert Günok. In the 95th minute, Christoph Baumgartner nearly capitalized on a defensive lapse, heading a looped cross towards the net. However, Günok managed to push the ball away with a remarkable save.
Despite their win, Turkey will face the Dutch without several key players. Ten players were at risk of suspension heading into the match against Austria, having received yellow cards in their final group game against the Czech Republic. Orkun Kökçü and Ismail Yüksek were booked during the Austria game, ruling them out of the quarter-final.
Additionally, center-back Merih Demiral, who scored both of Turkey’s goals in the round of 16, will miss the game due to a two-game ban imposed by UEFA for his controversial goal celebration against Austria.
On the positive side, several players are returning from suspension and will be available to replace their banned teammates. Captain Hakan Çalhanoğlu and defender Samet Akaydin, who both missed the game against Austria, will be available against the Netherlands.
Turkey: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Gunok
- Defenders: Kadioglu, Akaydin, Bardakci, Muldur
- Midfielders: Ozcan, Ayhan, Calhanoglu
- Forwards: Yildiz, Yilmaz, Guler
Netherlands vs Turkey: Match Prediction
The Netherlands have been somewhat unpredictable in this tournament so far.
They were dominant but wasteful against Poland, needing Wout Weghorst to secure a late victory off the bench. They then appeared flat in a goalless draw against France, though they might have won if Xavi Simons’ second-half goal had not been controversially disallowed.
Their defensive vulnerabilities were fully exposed by Austria in a five-goal thriller. However, they received a confidence boost with a comfortable victory over a middling Romania side.
It’s difficult to determine if they are true contenders, though in this half of the draw, any team could potentially make the final.
Turkey has also been inconsistent but has shown flashes of exciting quality, led by the talented youngster Arda Güler. They outdueled debutants Georgia in a classic match before being easily defeated by Portugal. They left it late to capitalize on their numerical advantage against the Czech Republic and benefited from a chaotic start against an out-of-sorts Austria.
We expect a highly entertaining match with plenty of action and drama, likely shaded by the Netherlands, with Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo playing a starring role once again.
We predict Netherlands to win, 2-1.
When and Where to Watch the Match LIVE in India?
UEFA Euro 2024 matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports channels: Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 can be accessed through the SonyLIV app and website.
You can watch the match in 7 July from 12:30 am onwards on Sony Sports channels: Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD.
Live streaming of the match can also be accessed through the SonyLIV app and website.
