The Dutch of nine lives, a Turkish heartbreak and England win penalties

The Netherlands survived a Turkish scare in Berlin on Saturday night to reach the semifinals of Euro 2024.

They fell to a Samet Akaydin header in the first half before Stefan De Vrij headed in a thumping Memphis Depay cross to pull them equal and Cody Gakpo scored his fourth goal of the tournament to give the Dutch the winner.

It was a sad end to the Turkiye challenge in what they came to call their “home tournament” due to the huge Turkish community in Germany.

The Turkish community has influenced Germany in many ways including its most famous Döner Kebab, a street food that has shaped German culinary tastes for many decades since the end of the Second World War.

On a night when Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan watched from the stands alongside his wife and his right-hand man, former Germany international Mesut Özil, the Turks failed to crack the Dutch defence after going behind.

After losing their last group stage match in Berlin to Austria 3-2, the Dutch ensured that thunder did not strike twice with this win that takes them into the final four where they will meet England.

The English survived a penalty shoot-out against Switzerland where they scored all five kicks after their game ended 1-1.

Star boy Bukayo Saka got the equalizer for the English after Breel Embolo had put the Swiss ahead.

The Euros have been low on goals but never short on drama. As it enters the final stretch next week, the last four teams will believe that they can win it.

Spain vs France in Munich has become a tournament classic. The Spaniards have the best team in this tournament and will be favourites ahead of the French who have struggled up to this point. The burden of history is on the Spaniards to prove themselves

England versus the Netherlands in Dortmund is one that looks equally matched.