Netherlands come back to beat Türkiye to reach Euro 2024 semifinals

The Netherlands came from behind to beat Türkiye 2-1 on Saturday and book their place in the Euro 2024 semifinals.

An own goal from Mert Muldur in the 76th minute, just six minutes after Stefan De Vrij canceled out Samet Akaydin's first-half header for Türkiye, was enough to send the Dutch through from the last game of the quarterfinals.

"It was really a battle today," De Vrij said. "The Türkish team they have a big heart, a lot of quality. In the end we did well and we deserved the win."

He said the Netherlands were able to put more pressure on Türkiye after 1.97-meter-tall striker Wout Weghorst came on at the start of the second half.

"He's always fighting up front, helping the team. And we started to keep the ball, create chances," De Vrij said. "Then we scored two goals and the whole team fought until the end."

The Netherlands will face England in the second semifinal in Dortmund on Wednesday. Spain will meet France in the first on Tuesday.

Türkiye were without defender Merih Demiral, who was suspended for two games by UEFA for making a nationalistic hand gesture after scoring in Tuesday's 2-1 win over Austria.

The Dutch got off to a better start, but Türkiye's defenders dug in to limit the impact of Cody Gapko, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay. Türkiye lined up with five at the back without the ball, as they had in their win against Austria, and gradually improved.

Akaydin rewarded a period of Türkish pressure by scoring in the 35th. Arda Guler delivered a butter-soft cross for the defender to head in off the underside of the crossbar.

The goal sparked wild celebrations among Türkiye's coaching staff and fans. Guler was swamped in the coaching area with hugs, while fans in the west end of the stadium set off flares. Most remained standing after the goal.

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

Dutch coach Ronald Koeman, who won Euro 1988 as a player with the Netherlands, reacted at the break by sending on Weghorst for Steven Bergwijn. Weghorst's presence gave the Dutch wingers a target, leading to a period of intense pressure. Guler hit the post with a free kick, but it was an isolated effort as Dutch pressure continued.

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

Suddenly the Dutch supporters could be heard once more, and they were cheering again six minutes later when Gapko forced the own goal from Muldur by getting in front of the defender and providing a target for Denzel Dumfries' low cross.