England face the Netherlands in the Semi Finals at Euro 2024 after a tense 5-3 penalty shootout win over Switzerland on Saturday. Can The Three Lions overcome Netherlands to get to the final of Euro 2024?
It is the third Semi Final under Gareth Southgate since taking over in 2016 and we have come a long way since his appointment, as he is guiding us to his third semi final in 4 international tournaments.
Netherlands on the hand have reached the semi finals of the Euros despite finishing 3rd in the group stages they have come on to beat Romania in the last 16 and just beat Turkey 2-1 in the Quarter Finals on Saturday. Now the Netherlands are facing England for a place in the final and we was close to facing them in the last 16 but Georgia helped us as they beat Portugal 2-0 in their final group game to allow us to meet them in the semis.
Can The Three Lions overcome Netherlands on Wednesday?
Player To Watch- Netherlands
Cody Gakpo would be my player to watch for the Netherlands as he is the joint leading top goalscorer of Euro 2024 so far and made the most attempts at goal with eight. Gakpo would be my player to watch as I think we could concede at some point during the semi final and I think Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo could be the key player for the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
He was also one of the key players at The World Cup that made Liverpool sign him in the January Transfer Window last season and has not really picked up the form most people expected but still at 25 years of age he definitely has the time to kick on and become one of the best players in the world.
Can England do what they can do to stop Cody Gakpo on Wednesday?
Player To Watch- England
The player to watch for England for the semi final clash against the Netherlands would be Ivan Toney, I don’t think he would start the game but since he came on as a substitute in the extra time games he created an assist for Harry Kane and played well against Switzerland on Saturday by scoring a penalty that helped us get to the semi finals.
If he does play during the semi finals and we get a penalty I think Ivan Toney should be a penalty taker as he doesn’t look at the ball while taking and just has his eyes on the opposition goalkeeper and whilst taking penalties for Brentford he has only missed one penalty in his career. He signed for Brentford in 2020 and the Baggies was considering signing Ivan Toney but went for Karlan Grant instead.
However, Ivan Toney should be considered during the semi final against the Netherlands.
My Line Up V Netherlands
The same formation as we started against Switzerland in the quarter finals, now we should play the same tactic again with Marc Guehi coming back into the lineup following his suspension, Luke Shaw to replace Kieran Tripper in wing back as he is coming back from injury. Foden and Bellingham would start just behind Harry Kane in attack.
Predictions V Netherlands
Here is prediction time, every prediction is difficult to make but I think there be a goal in the first half and I say it be the Netherlands scoring first with Cody Gakpo scoring in the 35th minute mark to make it 1-0 before half-time.
Second half England would get a penalty and Harry Kane would take it and would have it saved by the Netherlands keeper Bart Verbrugeen, then Ivan Toney would come on with Cole Palmer and then the game would change more with just 5 minutes to go Ivan Toney would equalize for us meaning it could go to extra time.
The last 5 minutes would be end to end but the scoreline would stay 1-1 meaning England would go into extra time for the 3rd game in a row. In extra time England would make it 2-1 with Cole Palmer scoring just before half time in extra time, then in the second half England would get another penalty with Ivan Toney scoring from the spot to secure England a place in the Euro 2024 final.
Prediction: England 3-1 Netherlands (After Extra Time)
Goalscorers for England: Ivan Toney (2), Cole Palmer
Goalscorers for Netherlands: Cody Gakpo
Another extra time it would be for England but they still get there and win the game to get them to the final. Lets see what Wednesday night brings and hopefully be in another Euros final on Sunday. Come on England!