We are only couple of days away from the finale of the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
The Euro 2024 tournament that kicked off on June 14, 2024 will come to a conclusion on Sunday, July 14. Ahead of the final, the semi-finals contest would take place first.
The quarter finals came to a conclusion on Saturday, July 6, and the teams that progressed are Spain, France, England and Netherlands. Amongst the semi-finalists, England are the only team that has never lifted the European championship.
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Spain and France will battle it out in the first semifinal clash before England vies against the Oranjes of Netherlands.
In the meantime, here is how the quarterfinals contest unraveled.
Spain 2-1 Germany
Spain defeated the host, Germany 2-1, courtesy of a Mikel Merino goal in the concluding minutes of extra time.
France 0-0 Portugal (France won 5-3 on penalties)
Following a stalemate after 120 minutes of intense play, France defeated Portugal 5-3 on penalties. It was Portugal’s Joao Felix who missed his spot kick to end his country’s journey in the tournament.
Equally, the tournament marked the conclusion of Portugal’s Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey in European championship.
England 1-1 Switzerland (England won 5-3 on penalties)
The Three Lions of England defeated Switzerland 5-3 on penalties.
Breel Embolo had put his nation, Switzerland ahead in the 75th minute, however, a stunning strike from England’s Bukayo Saka five minutes later pushed the game into extra time.
Saka was also able to convert his penalty during the shootout, thereby burying the ghost from the 2020 Euro edition where he missed his spot kick in the finals against Italy.
Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
Perhaps the most interesting encounter in the quarterfinals round, Netherlands defeated Turkey 2-1 to book a semifinals spot for the first time since 2004.
Turkey had taken the lead in the first half through a Sarmet Akaydin’s goal, the Turkish national team held the lead until the 70th minute when Stefan De Vrij pulled one back for the Dutch.
Minutes later, Mert Muldur put the ball into the back of his own net to give Netherlands the lead.
Here is how it will go down in the semifinals:
Spain vs France
England vs Netherlands
