Euro 2024 Semifinals: England Needs a Wake-Up Call, While the Netherlands Relies on Weghorst

In the realm of international football, both the Netherlands and England have garnered reputations for faltering at crucial moments in major tournaments. This trend has continued in Euro 2024, where both teams experienced setbacks but managed to recover in time to reach the semifinals. England, particularly, has showcased resilience by overcoming early deficits in their knockout stage matches, thanks to the outstanding individual performances. In comparison, the Netherlands has faced fewer disruptions, though they too have had their moments of struggle.

England's journey to the semifinals has been marked by their ability to bounce back after conceding first. In both of their knockout stage matches, they initially fell behind but used their individual prowess to claw back and eliminate their opponents. This pattern was evident in their quarterfinal clash against Switzerland. Despite a shaky start, England's determination and tactical adjustments saw them through.

Against Switzerland, England displayed more composure compared to their round of 16 match. The game began evenly, with both sides engaging in a cautious yet competitive battle. Bukayo Saka was a standout performer on the right flank, creating several dangerous opportunities with his low crosses. However, the English forwards failed to capitalize on these chances, allowing the Swiss defenders, led by Manuel Akanji, to clear the threats with relative ease.

The breakthrough for Switzerland came in the 75th minute when Ndoye's powerful low cross from the right bypassed Konsa and was slightly deflected by Stones, falling perfectly for Embolo to slot home past Walker. Despite not making positional errors, England's defenders failed to execute their responsibilities effectively: Konsa needed to block the cross, Stones should have cleared it, and Walker needed to get in front of Embolo. This lapse in concentration mirrored their earlier mistake against Slovakia, where a momentary lapse led to a goal.

Remarkably, England responded swiftly. Just five minutes after conceding, Saka cut inside and unleashed a shot that ricocheted off the far post and into the net, leveling the score. The equalizer injected caution into both teams, leading to a tense stalemate that persisted until the end of extra time. England's dismal penalty shootout history, with a success rate of only 25%, added to the drama. However, in a surprising turn, they converted all five of their spot-kicks, showcasing Gareth Southgate's effective psychological preparation of his players.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, has maintained a relatively positive tactical approach throughout the tournament, despite occasional setbacks. In the group stage, they fell behind in three matches, but these instances were more due to defensive lapses than being outplayed. Their match against Austria was the only one where they were genuinely outclassed. The Dutch have been the only semifinalists to have lost a game in the tournament so far.

In the quarterfinal against Turkey, the Netherlands faced a stern test. Turkey, the more aggressive side, capitalized on their early dominance with a goal in the 35th minute. Yilmaz's cross was met by defender Akyildiz, deputizing for the suspended Demiral, who scored to give Turkey the lead. Memphis Depay, leading the Dutch attack, showed improvement in his physical duels but struggled to break down the Turkish defense.

The turning point for the Netherlands came with the introduction of super-sub Wout Weghorst. His physical presence and pace unsettled the Turkish defense, providing the Dutch with a much-needed attacking threat. Weghorst's impact, while not directly responsible for the comeback, was pivotal in shifting the game's momentum. His presence highlighted the tactical flexibility that allowed the Netherlands to turn the tide.

Reflecting on their previous encounter in the inaugural Nations League semifinals, where the Netherlands triumphed in extra time with two assists from Depay, it’s clear that England didn’t field their strongest lineup, indicating a less serious approach. In Euro 2024, both teams have shown a commitment to their strategies, with the Netherlands maintaining a more proactive stance. However, as they head into the semifinals, both sides are likely to adopt a more cautious approach, potentially leading to a prolonged stalemate.

Given England's recent habit of requiring a wake-up call to perform, and the Netherlands' reliance on Weghorst's late-game heroics, the semifinals promise a fascinating clash of tactics and mental fortitude. The question remains whether England can avoid early mistakes and if the Netherlands can leverage Weghorst's impact to secure a victory in the crucial final moments.