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Netherlands come from behind to reach Euro 2024 semis

Dutch beat Turkey to set up semi-final against England


July 08, 2024 00:00:00


The Netherlands came from behind to book its spot in the semifinals of Euro 2024 with a 2-1 victory over Turkey on Sunday (as per BST), according to CNN Sports. Turkey defender Samet Akaydin had given his side the lead 10 minutes before halftime with a powerful header from a sumptuous ArdaGüler cross.

After consistent pressure on the Turkey goal, the Netherlands eventually equalised through a thumping header from defender Stefan de Vrij.

The Netherlands then took the lead six minutes later when Mert Müldür touched the ball into his own net under pressure from Cody Gakpo to score an unfortunate own goal.

The Netherlands will play England in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 10 in Dortmund.

Turkey was playing without its match-winner in the round of 16, MerihDemiral, after he was suspended for two games following a controversial hand gesture made by the defender in the previous round.

Demiral scored twice in Turkey's 2-1 win against Austria and celebrated by making a gesture known as the "wolf salute," which is associated with the Turkish right-wing extremist group "Grey Wolves."

"Does anyone say that the Germans have an eagle on their jerseys? Does anyone say that the French have a rooster on their jerseys?" Turkish President RecepTayyipErdo?an, who was at the game in Berlin, told Turkish broadcaster TRT on Friday.

UEFA said it had opened a probe into Turkey defender MerihDemiral for celebrating a goal in the team's 2-1 win against Austria at Euro 2024 with an allegedly ultra-nationalist salute. The tournament organiser said in a statement it was investigating the player for "inappropriate behaviour" during the knockout game in Leipzig. The gesture, which Demiral made to the crowd after scoring his second goal of the game, is associated with Turkish ultra-nationalist group Grey Wolves.

The atmosphere inside Berlin's Olympic Stadium in Berlin was electric, with the combination of Netherlands fans dressed all in orange and the vocal backing of Turkey fans - Germany has a large Turkish diaspora - for their team providing a dramatic backdrop to the game.


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