Netherlands struck twice in quick succession as they came from behind to book a Euro 2024 semi-final against England with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Turkey.
Samet Akaydin gave Turkey a 35th-minute lead in a tense quarter-final encounter in Berlin on Saturday but the Netherlands rallied after the break.
Stefan De Vrij headed the equaliser after 70 minutes and the turnaround was completed six minutes later when Mert Muldur turned into his own net under pressure from Cody Gakpo.
Turkey piled forward in search of a late equaliser but Bart Verbruggen produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Kerem Akturkoglu in a nervous finale.
The Netherlands started brightly with Memphis Depay shooting over after playing a one-two with Gakpo, who then dragged a shot wide himself.
Yet the positive opening was not to last in what was a largely-scrappy first half.
Turkey finally began to settle towards the end of the opening period and went close when Kenan Yildiz flashed a shot over.
The Dutch failed to heed that warning and were punished after 35 minutes when clearing a corner only as far as Arda Guler.
The Real Madrid youngster lifted the ball towards the far post where Akaydin powered home a header.
It was not until the second half, following the introduction of Wout Weghorst, that the Netherlands began to threaten.
Weghorst immediately stretched the Turkey defence and his dangerous header across goal was almost turned in by Depay, although the flag was raised.
Turkey remained dangerous and Guler struck the outside of the post with a low free-kick.
Turkey also wanted a penalty after Verbruggen parried a Yildiz shot and Weghorst tangled with Kaan Ayhan in the aftermath, but the Dutch escaped.
Weghorst turned his attention to the other end and tested Mert Gunok, while Depay also shot at the goalkeeper.
As pressure increased, the equaliser came as Depay exchanged passes with Jerdy Schouten and crossed for De Vrij to rise and score with a firm header.
Turkey were still reeling when the Dutch snatched the lead soon after.
Denzel Dumfries broke down the right and fizzed a dangerous low ball into the box towards Gakpo.
The Liverpool forward attacked the ball but the final touch came off Muldur as it was bundled in.
Turkey threw themselves forward but were thwarted as Schouten and Micky Van de Ven blocked from Zeki Celik and Akturkoglu respectively.
Akturkoglu had one last chance in stoppage-time but Verbruggen denied him at point-blank range as the Dutch clung on.
Turkey’s frustration was evident as unused substitute Bertug Yildirim was shown a red card for his antics on the touchline.
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...

Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...

Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...

Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...

Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....

Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...

Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...

Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...


