EURO 2024 Roundup, Matchday 19
Here is a summary of the matches that took place during Matchday 19 of EURO 2024, highlighting the outcomes and standout player performances.
England 1-1 Switzerland (England win on penalties)
England managed to keep their hopes alive in Euro 2024 in a thrilling manner, coming from behind to defeat Switzerland on penalties in Gareth Southgate’s 100th match as the national team’s manager. This victory marked their third major semi-final under his leadership. Despite struggling to create chances in their previous matches, Southgate made a crucial change by adjusting England’s formation to match Switzerland’s five-at-the-back system.
The game started nervously with neither team registering a shot on target in the first half. Switzerland began to show their attacking strength in the second half, but England’s defense held firm. However, Switzerland eventually broke the deadlock with a goal from Embolo. With time running out, Bukayo Saka scored a brilliant goal to equalize for England.
England had gained momentum but couldn’t score before the end of regular time, leading to extra time for the second game in a row. There was no quick goal like Harry Kane’s previous strike against Slovakia, but Declan Rice almost scored with a long-range shot early in extra time. Xherdan Shaqiri nearly scored from a corner, and other Swiss players also had close chances. The game went to a penalty shootout, where England’s Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold scored crucial penalties to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
The Netherlands showed strong determination as they fought back from a goal down to defeat Turkey 2-1 in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, securing their sixth appearance in the European Championship semi-finals. Turkey put up a strong defensive effort against the Dutch pressure. Despite being considered underdogs, Turkey’s physical approach paid off with a goal in the 35th minute by Samet Akaydin, assisted by Arda Güler. This marked Turkey’s first halftime lead in the tournament, prompting Ronald Koeman to tweak some things during the break.
The Dutch team came back to the game with more determination after the break, but it was their opponents who came close to scoring a second goal just before the 60th minute when Güler took a long-range free-kick that hit the upright. However, Turkey’s efforts were nullified in the 70th minute when Stefan de Vrij equalized with a strong header from a well-executed short corner. With the momentum on their side, the confident Netherlands team only needed six minutes to take the lead, thanks to a Mert Müldür own goal.
The full-back accidentally redirected the ball into his own net while trying to clear Denzel Dumfries’ dangerous cross ahead of Cody Gakpo. As Turkey’s hopes of advancing in the Euros dwindled, they launched an attack in the final minutes, putting pressure on the Dutch defense and forcing Verbruggen to make a remarkable save to deny Semih Kılıçsoy. Koeman’s team managed to secure the victory and set up an exciting match against England, bringing an end to Turkey’s impressive journey in the tournament.