Netherlands vs Turkey Full Match EURO 2024

After unconvincingly reaching the last 16 as the highest-ranked third-placed side at UEFA Euro 2024, the Netherlands showed why they might still lift the trophy on 14 July after outclassing Romania to win 3-0 in Munich. Manager Ronald Koeman was keen to stress that “the whole performance was outstanding” after the Oranje not only scored at least three goals in a game for the fourth time this calendar year, but also kept a hugely impressive eighth clean sheet across their last 11 internationals.

Next up for them are Turkey, who have lost just one of the last four H2Hs (W2, D1), a run which includes earning four points against the Netherlands in two Euros qualifiers that ultimately cost their opponents a place at the 2016 tournament. However, under Koeman’s predecessor Louis van Gaal, the Dutch won the last such meeting 6-1 en route to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a match that saw Memphis Depay and Donyell Malen – both key members of the current squad – score four goals between them.

Intriguingly, of the teams left in the tournament prior to the quarter-finals kicking off, only Spain and Germany have scored more often than Turkey. But with one of those two sides guaranteed not to make the semis, the Crescent Stars will fancy their chances of outgunning anyone after securing a 2-1 victory on Tuesday to eliminate Austria, with defender Merih Demiral’s opener the quickest in Euros knockout history after just 57 seconds.

Despite their attacking capabilities though, Turkey are susceptible defensively, as they are the only country still at these Euros to have both conceded in their first four games and to have seen all those matches feature at least three goals, providing a level of entertainment that has made them many fans’ second-favourite team so far.

Players to watch: Malen’s first-ever Netherlands brace in the last round means that four of his nine international strikes have come in 2024, building on a successful season at Borussia Dortmund in which he netted 15 goals at club level for the first time in three years. Looking to outshine him will be Turkey wonderkid Arda Güler, who sumptuously provided the assist for Demiral’s second headed goal against Austria and has either registered a goal contribution or has been booked in six of his last eight appearances for club and country (G5, A1, YC1).

Hot stat: Each of Turkey’s last five matches has seen at least three cards brandished.