Oranje score twice in six minutes to beat Turkey and advance to Euro 2024 semi-finals

The Netherlands came back from a goal down to beat Turkey 2-1 in the quarter-final of Euro 2024 on Saturday. Stefan de Vrij and an own goal from Turkish defender Mert Muldur ensured that Oranje will now advance to the semi-final, where they face England on Wednesday night.

Turkey had taken the lead in the first half through Samet Akaydin and made Koeman's side work hard for the victory, but two quick-fire goals in six minutes turned the game on its head.

Ronald Koeman made no changes to the line-up that started the 3-0 win against Romania last week. This meant that Steven Bergwijn had recovered from the injury, which ensured that he had to go off after half an hour in the last game. He was picked above Donyell Malen, who came off the bench to score twice in the match.

Turkey was missing former Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu and Merit Demiral through suspensions. Kokcu had been booked twice, and Demiral was suspended due to a controversial goal celebration during the win against Austria in the last 16 games.

Oranje could have taken the lead in the first minute of the match. Memphis Depay tried to pass the ball through to Cody Gakpo, but a Turkish defender blocked his pass. The ball came back into his path, opening up space for the shot, but he lost his balance before pulling the trigger, sending the ball flying over the goal.

This was the last chance of the half for Oranje, who went into halftime a goal down. Just like in previous tournament matches, young midfielder Arda Guler's crossing prowess created the goal. The midfielder's cross went over Bart Verbruggen's head and was headed into the net by Samet Akaydin.

Guler continued to be a source of danger for Turkey, as the Real Madrid player hit the post from a free kick after 55 minutes.

The Netherlands equalized in the 70th minute. Substitute Wout Weghorst's shot was knocked wide for a corner by Turkey keeper Mert Gunok. The corner that came from this was taken short by Depay, who then got the ball back from Jerdy Schouten before putting in a perfect cross into the penalty area, which Stefan de Vrij headed into the net.

Oranje kept pushing and scored their second goal six minutes later. Denzel Dumfries played a low, driven cross to the far post to Gakpo, who slid for it. It was knocked into the net by right-back Mert Muldur, who had slid for the ball alongside Gakpo.

Turkey went on the offensive, with many crosses coming into the Dutch penalty box. Muhammed Akturkoglu's cross was missed by Verbruggen and met by Zeki Celik, who shot towards goal. Mickey van de Ven prevented it from going in, blocking the attempt. The subsequent cross found Akturkoglu, but again, the Dutch defence blocked this shot.

Gakpo had the chance to put the game to bed in the 88th minute when Jeremie Frimpong headed the ball into his path, but Gunok's legs blocked his well-hit volley.

Turkey had one last chance to score, and a terrific save from Verbruggen prevented it. A cross from Abdulkerim Bardakci hit Semih Kilicsoy's knee, sending it toward the goal, but it was stopped by a great low save from Verbruggen.

Oranje now faces England in the semi-final on Wednesday night in Dortmund. England beat Switzerland on penalties earlier on Saturday.