England is on the brink of achieving back-to-back European Championship finals but must first navigate a challenging encounter with the Netherlands in Dortmund for the second Euro 2024 semi-final. The victorious team will face off against either Spain or France in the grand finale scheduled for Sunday. The semi-final match kicks off at 9 PM local time (1900 GMT, 12:30 AM Thursday). As anticipation builds, here’s an in-depth look at the crucial aspects of this eagerly awaited match.
**Match Stats and Background**
Both England and the Netherlands demonstrated their resilience in the quarterfinals by conceding early goals but ultimately securing their places in the semis. England triumphed over Switzerland via a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw, while the Netherlands clinched a 2-1 win against Turkey.
England’s manager, Gareth Southgate, celebrated his 100th game in charge with a quarterfinal victory, subsequently defending his often-conservative tactics as a necessary ‘streetwise’ approach for success. Despite facing criticism, with some England fans expressing their discontent during group-stage matches, Southgate remains steadfast in his strategy.
The upcoming match sees England meeting its highest-ranked opponent thus far in the tournament. England’s journey included group-stage contests against Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia, followed by knockout victories over Slovakia and Switzerland.
Felix Zwayer, the referee for this high-stakes match, is not without controversy. In 2021, during his tenure with Borussia Dortmund, England midfielder Jude Bellingham was fined €40,000 ($43,400) for criticizing Zwayer, who had earlier been implicated in a match-fixing scandal in Germany.
**Team News and Line-Ups**
England has primarily depended on the right-footed Kieran Trippier at left wing-back. However, his tendency to cut inside has rendered the left-wing less effective throughout the tournament. Luke Shaw made a brief appearance against Switzerland—his first since February due to injury—and has declared his readiness to start against the Netherlands if selected by Southgate.
Southgate also faces a critical decision in the heart of England’s defense, choosing between Ezri Konsa, who replaced the suspended Marc Guéhi against Switzerland, and the now-eligible Guéhi.
Another pivotal concern is the fitness of England captain Harry Kane, who was substituted with a cramp during extra time against Switzerland. Ivan Toney, who netted one of the penalties in the shootout, might see more playtime depending on Kane’s condition.
On the Dutch side, coach Ronald Koeman might opt to maintain his consistent lineup for the third successive match. The attacking trio of Memphis Depay, Cody Gakpo, and Steven Bergwijn has been instrumental for the Netherlands.
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**Statistical Insights**
In terms of recent playtime, England has accumulated an hour more on the field than the Netherlands over the last ten days, following their extended matches against Slovakia (extra time) and Switzerland (penalties). By contrast, the Dutch achieved straightforward victories over Romania and Turkey without the need for additional time.
Notably, the Netherlands scored the opening goal in just one out of their five matches at Euro 2024, namely against Romania in the pre-quarterfinals. England has not secured the opening goal since their group stage match against Denmark.
Historically, the Netherlands has not reached a European Championship final since winning the tournament in 1988, with their last semi-final appearance dating back to 2004.
England’s offensive efficiency is also under scrutiny. Their first shot on target against Switzerland was Bukayo Saka’s 80th-minute equalizer, while Jude Bellingham’s spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia mark the next first shot on target recorded deep into injury time.
Dutch forward Cody Gakpo leads the remaining players with three goals at Euro 2024, although an initially credited fourth goal against Turkey was later declared an own goal. England’s top scorers are Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, each with two goals.
**Voices from the Pitch**
Luke Shaw, showing public support for Gareth Southgate, expressed gratitude for the manager’s faith. “I don’t really understand the criticism. What he’s done for the country, for us as players as well, he really took us to the next level … I’ve got a lot to thank him for because he showed a lot of faith and trust in picking me when he didn’t have to.”
Conversely, Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven anticipates a dynamic match. “Hopefully, it’s us that will have the ball more than England. So it’s more England that’s running. I expect a high-intensity game.”
Much awaits as England and the Netherlands gear up for a thrilling contest, with each team vying for a coveted spot in the final showdown of Euro 2024.
