2024 European Championship, quarter finals
Netherlands – Türkiye – 2:1
Goals: De Vrij 70, Muldur 76 (own goal) – Akaydin 35
The “Orange” took the initiative at the start of the match. In the first minute, Depay shot dangerously over the goal. However, the Dutch were unable to organize the necessary development from the ball control. Most of the attacking attacks of Ronald Koeman’s team ended with attentive play by the defenders.
Gradually, the Turkish team moved the game away from their own goal. Subsequently, the “Moon Stars” became bolder and began to load the ball into the areas near Verbruggen’s territory. This change of scenario allowed Vincenzo Montella’s charges to open the scoring – Guler served a set piece to the far post, where Akaydin headed the ball into the net.
Even before the break and with the start of the second half, the Netherlands went on the offensive. There were moments. Depay failed to close Weghorst’s pass within the penalty area, and then he completed a flank breakthrough with a shot into the goalkeeper’s hands. Between these episodes, Guler hit the post with a free kick.
Another exchange of missed opportunities soon followed. Turkish Yildiz failed to beat the goalkeeper on the rebound, and Gunok parried a difficult shot from Dutchman Weghorst in the near corner. But the corner following that led to a goal. Depay played a set piece with Schouten and crossed for 11 meters, from where De Vrij headed in the equalizer.
The “Orange” decided not to slow down. Koeman’s guys continued to attack the Turkish team’s goal. And in the 76th minute, the Dutch team took the lead. Schouten passed the ball to the right to Dumfries, who crossed to the far post, where Muldur, in a fight with Gakpo, pushed the ball over his own goal line.
Now Turkey went on the attack in force. In the 85th minute, the “Moon Stars” missed two chances to equalize in one attack. First, Celik’s shot into an empty net was stopped by Van de Ven, and then Akturkoglu hit a defender with the rebound. The pressure continued, but the Turks were unable to equalize. So, in the semi-finals, the Netherlands will meet the England team.
