Cody Gakpo proved to be a crucial player in the Netherlands’ journey to the Euro 2024 semi-finals. The Liverpool striker put pressure on the Turkish right-back, forcing him into an own goal, helping the Netherlands come from behind to win 2-1.

For most of the match, things were not going the Netherlands’ way. Turkey took the lead in the 35th minute through a precise header from centre-back Samet Akaydin and controlled the game until centre-back Stefan De Vrij equalised in the 70th minute.

However, Gakpo’s close-range run to the goal in the 76th minute turned the game around. The 25-year-old striker charged in to meet a low cross from right-back Denzel Dumfries, forcing Mert Muldur to fumble the ball into his own net. The Netherlands won 2-1 to advance to the semi-finals against England at 2 a.m. on July 11, Vietnam time.

Gakpo put pressure on Mert Muldur to score an own goal – Photo: Reuters

Gakpo is the biggest hope in the Netherlands team’s attack at Euro 2024 with 3 goals after 5 matches.

Even if Gakpo’s goal in the 2-1 win over Türkiye had not been counted, Ronald Koeman’s side would have had little chance of winning their first Euro title since 1988 without his finishing ability.

Gakpo had previously scored the opening goal in a 3-0 win over Romania in the last 16 of Euro 2024 before Donyell Malen scored a late brace. The Liverpool man has scored twice in the group stage of Euro 2024, both opening the scoring for the Netherlands, against Poland and Austria. He also provided an assist.

Although he did not score in the early morning of July 7, Vietnam time, Gakpo made an important contribution to the Netherlands’ comeback to beat Türkiye.

“Gakpo’s position is on the left because he is really dangerous when facing full-backs,” Koeman said a few days ago. Turkey right-back Muldur can certainly attest to that.

“Gakpo is strong, playing at a great level in this tournament. Gakpo is probably our most important player so far and I hope the rest of the team can play at his level,” the Dutch coach commented.

Gakpo has shone on the left wing at the tournament, a position he played for PSV Eindhoven before moving to Liverpool in late 2022. Gakpo’s excellent form at the end of the 2023/24 Premier League season appears to have carried over into Euro 2024.

“I think I played very well in the last matches of the season at the club. I just carried that with me and continued to work very hard,” Gakpo said a few days ago.

The Netherlands will be relying heavily on Gakpo’s pace and finishing ability on the left flank as he faces Kyle Walker, a 34-year-old but still agile right-back, for a place in the Euro 2024 final (2am 15.7. Vietnam time).

Ronald Koeman does not believe the Netherlands have an advantage over England, wants to meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final

Returning to the last Euro 2024 quarter-final match, the Netherlands team faced many difficulties when meeting Türkiye. After the first minutes of attacking without being able to score, the Dutch net shook in the 35th minute after Samet Akaydin’s accurate header. Trying to attack in the last minutes of the first half, Oranje did not have any notable opportunities.

It was only thanks to Ronald Koeman’s adjustments in the second half, including bringing in target man Wout Weghorst and returning Depay to his usual No. 10 position, that the Dutch team had more chances to score 2 goals. In the final minutes, coach Vincenzo Montella’s team focused all their efforts on the attack. If it weren’t for the precise block by centre-back Micky van de Ven in front of the Dutch goal, Turkey could have equalized 2-2.

Koeman celebrates victory over Turkey with his players and assistants – Photo: Getty Images

Ronald Koeman said the Netherlands had proved their doubters wrong after coming from behind to beat Türkiye. The former Barcelona boss said the result showed accusations his players lacked “fire” were untrue.

“I think for the whole country it’s special. We’re a small country but we’re in the semi-finals with England, France and Spain. We’re really proud. We had to endure the pressure tonight but there’s no easy game in the whole Euros. It was a really emotional game and we showed a big heart. Sometimes we’re criticised for not having that compared to other national teams. The players showed a great spirit tonight after being 1-0 down,” Koeman said in his post-match press conference.

The result means the Netherlands will play their first Euro semi-final since 2004, against England in Dortmund, Germany. The Three Lions needed a nerve-wracking penalty shootout to overcome Switzerland after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.

Both of England’s knockout matches at Euro 2024 have gone into extra time so far, but Koeman dismissed suggestions his players would be more fit after beating Romania and Türkiye over 90 minutes.

“If you win a game, it’s always a good feeling. We need to recover like England. It’s not about the difference in fitness between us and them. We played on the same day and had to travel the same way as them. Fitness is not the deciding factor.

“It will be a great night between two great nations, historically speaking. England have great players but so do we. We are in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 and we are equal. If England want to attack, Holland will be ready. If everything goes well, Holland will be in the final,” added the 61-year-old.

When asked about his favourite opponent for the Euro 2024 final, Koeman made his choice clear: “First of all, we need to work hard to win the semi-final. If the Netherlands reach the final, I would prefer to meet Spain because they faced France in the group stage (0-0 draw).”