Netherlands in Euro 2024 semi-final against England after beating Turkey

BERLIN (AP) — The Netherlands came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 on Saturday and book its place in the semifinals of the European Championship.

A Mert Muldur own goal in the 76th minute, just six after Stefan De Vrij had canceled out Samet Akaydin’s first-half header for Turkey, was enough for the Dutch in the last quarter-final.

The Netherlands will face England in the second semi-final in Dortmund on Wednesday. Spain face France in the first on Tuesday.

Turkey were without defender Merih Demiral, who was banned for two matches by UEFA for making a nationalistic hand gesture after scoring in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Austria. The gesture is used by Turkish nationalists and associated with an ultra-nationalist group.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was at the match after changing his plans due to the diplomatic row with Germany over Demiral’s gesture.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Demiral used his celebration “as a platform for racism”, and Federal Minister Cem Özdemir, a German politician of Turkish origin, said the gesture “represents terror, fascism”.

Many Turkish fans made the gesture on their way to Berlin’s Olympic Stadium and again during the Turkish national anthem before the match.

The Dutch started the better but Turkey’s defenders dug in to limit the impact of Cody Gapko, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay. Turkey lined up with a back five without the ball, as they did in the win against Austria, and gradually improved.

Akaydin rewarded a period of Turkish pressure by scoring in the 35th. Arda Guler sent in a soft cross for the defender to head under the crossbar.

It sparked wild celebrations among Turkey’s coaching staff and fans. Guler was hugged in the coaches’ box while fans on the west side of the stadium set off flares. Most remained standing after the goal.

Turkish supporters outnumbered their orange-clad counterparts in a city that is home to a large community of people with Turkish roots. Most are descendants of Turkish “guest workers” who arrived in what was West Germany to help rebuild the post-war economy. Germany is home to around 3 million Turks or people with Turkish roots, making them the country’s largest ethnic minority, and the team has enjoyed fervent support at Euro 2024.

The Dutch pushed for an equalizer before the break to a chorus of whistles.

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who won Euro ’88 as a player with Holland, reacted at half-time by sending on big striker Wout Weghorst for Steven Bergwijn.

Weghors’ presence gave the Dutch midfielders a target, leading to a period of intense pressure.

Guler hit the bar with a free-kick but it was an isolated effort as the Dutch pressure continued.

It finally paid off in the 70th when De Vrij was set free to head in Depay’s cross.

Suddenly the Dutch fans could hear themselves again and cheered again six minutes later when Gapko forced Muldur’s own goal, getting in front of the defender from Denzel Dumfries’ low cross.

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AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press