For the second time in five years, these two European powerhouses face off in a semi-final. The Netherlands emerged victorious 3-1 after extra time in their Nations League clash in 2019. Given their history, it wouldn’t be surprising if this highly-anticipated encounter went the distance again; five of their last eight meetings have ended in a draw after 90 minutes.
The Netherlands secured their first EURO semi-final appearance since 2004 by defeating Türkiye. England, meanwhile, have reached this stage for the second consecutive tournament.
Who won Euro 2020?
Italy
Here’s a preview and prediction for the Euro 2024 semi-final between the Netherlands and England, set to take place on Thursday in Dortmund.
Read More: Portugal’s New Penalty Hero: Decoding Diogo Costa’s Record-Breaking Saves
Netherlands vs England: Match Preview
England have stumbled through Euro 2024, but they’ve still managed to reach another semi-final.
For the third time at a major tournament under Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions have made it to the last four. Since the start of the 2018 World Cup, the only competition in which they failed to reach this stage was the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Now, standing in their way of a consecutive Euros final are the Netherlands.
Ronald Koeman’s side was unconvincing in the group stage but have found their form in the knockout rounds. Unlike their opponents in Dortmund on Wednesday, the Netherlands have hit their stride in the knockouts.
England needed extra time and a stunning goal from Jude Bellingham to overcome Slovakia, then relied on perfect penalty kicks and a crucial save from Jordan Pickford to defeat Switzerland. In contrast, the Netherlands defeated Romania 3-0 and Turkey 2-1 within 90 minutes.
England have gone to extra time in both of their knockout matches so far. Only Portugal at Euro 2016, and Spain and Italy at Euro 2020, have ever gone to extra time three times in a single edition of the finals.
While Southgate has faced criticism for England’s performances in Germany, his major tournament record is impressive.
From 1996 to 2018, England went 22 years without reaching a semi-final. Since then, they’ve made it to the final four three times, including their World Cup run in Russia six years ago.
After 65 years without reaching a men’s final, England is now on the verge of back-to-back appearances in a major tournament’s biggest event. Only five teams have reached consecutive Euro finals: USSR (1960/1964), Germany (1972/1976, 1976/1980, 1992/1996), and Spain (2008/2012).
This marks England’s fourth appearance in the semi-finals of the European Championship. They were eliminated in the first two in 1968 (vs Yugoslavia) and 1996 (vs Germany). At Euro 2020, they reached the final after defeating Denmark 2-1 but lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley.
Bukayo Saka redeemed his 2021 penalty miss with a composed effort in the shootout against Switzerland and forced extra time with a superb strike. He is likely to start on the right again despite recent discussions about moving him to the left, especially with Luke Shaw returning from the bench in the quarter-finals.
For the Netherlands, this will be their sixth Euros semi-final. They have lost their last four, with their only victory in 1988 when they went on to win the tournament. Marco van Basten scored one of the most famous goals in Euros history in that final in Munich.
This is the Netherlands’ first Euros semi-final since 2004 when they lost 2-1 to host nation Portugal. Back then, there were only 16 teams in the competition, making the path to the semi-finals shorter than it is now.
Netherlands vs England: Head-to-Head
This marks the fourth encounter between England and the Netherlands at a major tournament. The Oranje triumphed 3-1 at Euro 88, thanks to a Van Basten hat-trick, followed by a goalless draw at the 1990 World Cup, and a 4-1 England victory at Euro 96.
Among all the nations England have faced 20+ times in their history, only against Brazil (15%) do they have a lower win rate than against the Netherlands (27% – W6 D9 L7).
In fact, England have won just one of their last nine meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions (D4 L4), with their sole victory being a 1-0 friendly match in Amsterdam in March 2018.
Netherlands vs England: Recent Form
Netherlands: WWLDW
England: WWDDW
Netherlands vs England: Team News and Predicted Line-up
Netherlands: Team News
The Netherlands have one spot in their attack up for grabs as they prepare to face England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
Wout Weghorst is making a strong case to lead the line after another impressive performance off the bench in the Dutch victory over Turkey.
Steven Bergwijn has struggled in his recent starts on the right flank, making way for Jeremie Frimpong and Donyell Malen, who has had a mixed Euros highlighted by two late goals against Romania in the last-16.
Ronald Koeman has used Weghorst, who is still under contract with Burnley, as a super-sub in Germany. However, there are increasing calls for him to start, especially with a place in the final at stake.
Starting Weghorst would allow Memphis Depay to play in a free role behind the striker and move Xavi Simons to the right wing, while Cody Gakpo looks to continue his strong form on the left.
Joey Veerman began the tournament in the Netherlands’ starting XI but has since been replaced by AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and PSV Eindhoven’s Jerdy Schouten.
The Dutch have a settled defense with Virgil van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij preferred over Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven. The Tottenham defender has been used as a substitute left-back for Nathan Ake in all four of his appearances at the Euros.
Denzel Dumfries will provide pace and power from the right-back position, and Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen is set to continue in goal.
Netherlands: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Verbruggen
- Defenders: Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake
- Midfielders: Schouten, Reijnders, Simon
- Forwards: Depay, Gakpo, Bergwijn
England: Team News
Gareth Southgate faces a crucial decision on whether Luke Shaw is ready to start England’s semi-final against the Netherlands as their Euro 2024 campaign nears its climax.
Southgate’s team has reached their third semi-final in the last four tournaments and is just one win away from becoming the first England men’s team to reach a major final overseas.
Shaw made his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury as a substitute during the dramatic quarter-final victory over Switzerland. He played nearly 45 minutes without issues after the match extended to penalties.
The Manchester United star is the only specialist left-back in Southgate’s squad. The Three Lions boss must decide whether Shaw is ready for his first start in five months against the Dutch in Dortmund or if Kieran Trippier will continue as his deputy.
Shaw has expressed his readiness to start, but the final decision is yet to be made.
Additionally, Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi is available again after suspension and is likely to replace Ezri Konsa, though Konsa performed well against the Swiss and also has chances to start.
Southgate’s other significant decision is whether to use a back three or back four. England switched to a wing-back system against Switzerland, producing arguably their best performance of the tournament. However, since the Dutch play with a back four, Southgate might consider matching Ronald Koeman’s side.
England: Predicted Lineup
- Goalkeeper: Pickford
- Defenders: Walker, Stones, Guehi
- Midfielders: Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier
- Forwards: Foden, Bellingham, Kane
Netherlands vs England: Match Prediction
England clearly possess more talent and experience in these games. Southgate highlighted this after the win over Switzerland, and it should play a significant role here.
While England’s defense has been stellar, they struggle to finish off opponents and appear vulnerable to counter-attacks when they take risks.
However, the Dutch have their own issues. Their defense can be slow and ponderous, they’ve lacked midfield control, and they lack a killer touch in attack. Nonetheless, they can be dangerous with crosses, quick interchanges, and long-range shots.
This is expected to be a tight game that could go the distance, but England’s knowhow and quality might pull them through.
Prediction: England to win on penalties.
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 11 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.
