With caution, Gary Neville has shared his pick for England vs. Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinal.
To secure a spot in Sunday’s Euro final, Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions take against Ronald Koeman’s Orange Army in Dortmund on Wednesday night.
With a penalty shootout triumph over resolute Switzerland, England advanced to the last four after the quarterfinal match ended in a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead on 75 minutes, and Southgate‘s team seemed about to lose, but, as they did against Slovakia in the previous round, they rallied and quickly equalized via a sharp effort from Bukayo Saka.
Penalties were required as the teams could not be separated after extra time and England were faultless in the shootout, scoring all five efforts while Manuel Akanji missed for Switzerland.
The Three Lions, who were beaten finalists at the last European Championship, will face the Netherlands next after they came from behind to defeat Turkey.
Turkey enjoyed an impressive run to the quarters and looked set to extend their stay in Germany when Samet Akaydin gave them the lead before half time.
But the Netherlands scored twice in six second-half minutes – first through Stefan de Vrij and the second an own goal – to turn the tie around and progress to their first Euros semi-final since 2004.
Neville described the semi-final clash in Dortmund as a ‘proper game’ and suggested an England win was ‘written in the stars’ as they continue to advance despite failing to find their top form.
‘That’s a proper game,’ Neville said on ITV. ‘You’re always going to face the best teams at some point in the competition.
‘England’s route so far has been pretty favourable. This is a step-up but you’d expect that in a semi-final.’
When asked for his forecast, Neville said, “Are you aware of anything?” To be honest, I believe there is something about this competition that gives you the impression that it is predetermined.
“Something is taking place.” Everything is open to falling in love with us. You must be thinking that something is going right for us because we are in the semifinals despite having only won one of our last five games in 90 minutes.
Joleon Lescott, another former England defender, said, “I’m confident.” Perhaps it’s only the result of our victory on penalties, but I have no doubt that we will defeat Holland.
On the other side of the draw, France take on Spain after they beat Portugal and Germany respectively in the quarter-finals.