A Decisive Own Goal
Turkey’s fatal own goal ultimately ended their journey in the quarterfinals. On July 6, 2024, at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, the Netherlands faced Turkey in the UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-final match. Turkey initially took the lead with a header by Samet Akaydin, but the Netherlands equalized in the second half with a header from Stefan de Vrij. In the 76th minute, a critical mistake by Turkey resulted in an own goal, allowing the Netherlands to secure a 2-1 victory. This win marks the Netherlands’ first return to the semifinals in 20 years, where they will face England for a spot in the final.
Group Stage Performance
In the group stage, the Netherlands showed a moderate performance but bounced back in the Round of 16 by defeating Romania 3-0. Turkey, on the other hand, eliminated Austria with a 2-1 victory in their Round of 16 match. However, the absence of key midfielders Orkun Kokcu and Ismail Yuksek significantly impacted Turkey’s competitiveness.
Tactical Approaches
The Netherlands adopted a 4-3-3 formation for this match, while Turkey opted for a 5-4-1 setup. In the first 20 minutes, the Netherlands controlled nearly 70% of possession and frequently advanced into Turkey’s penalty area, though they were often caught offside. Conversely, Turkey relied on surprise long passes, which, despite being intercepted near the penalty area, posed a considerable challenge to the Dutch defense.
Turkey Takes the Lead
In the 35th minute, Turkey gained a corner kick opportunity. After Hakan Calhanoglu’s corner was cleared by the Netherlands, Arda Guler regained possession outside the box. Guler sent a precise long pass to Samet Akaydin, who scored with a header, giving Turkey a 1-0 lead.
Defensive Strategy
Turkey’s 5-4-1 formation effectively suppressed the Netherlands’ wing attacks in the first half. The Dutch offense struggled against Turkey’s solid defense, ending the first half with Turkey leading 1-0.
Second Half Developments
In the 56th minute of the second half, Turkey launched a quick attack. Arda Guler was fouled by Nathan Ake outside the box, earning Ake a yellow card and Turkey a free kick. Guler’s powerful shot from the free kick struck the left post, narrowly missing a second goal for Turkey.
The Netherlands Equalizes
The Netherlands substituted Wout Weghorst into the midfield in the second half, enhancing their offensive momentum. In the 70th minute, the Netherlands earned a corner kick. Memphis Depay delivered a short corner, received a return pass on the right, and sent a long cross to Stefan de Vrij, who scored with a header to equalize the game.
The Decisive Own Goal
After equalizing, the Netherlands’ offense fully revived. In the 76th minute, Denzel Dumfries received a pass on the right and crossed the ball into the penalty area. Cody Gakpo attempted to score from the left, but Turkey’s defenders failed to clear the ball, leading to an own goal by Mert Muldur. The Netherlands took a 2-1 lead and maintained it until the end, securing their place in the semifinals for the first time since 2004, where they will face England for a spot in the championship match.(jilibet)