Muldur own goal sends Netherlands into Euro 2024 semis

BERLIN : An own goal by Mert Muldur completed a dramatic comeback for the Netherlands on Saturday as they overcame a tenacious Turkey 2-1 to book a Euro 2024 semi-final meeting with England. 

The defender bundled the ball into his own net in the 76th minute under pressure from Cody Gakpo as the Dutch bounced back from a poor first-half display to win a bruising clash and complete the final four line-up.

Stefan de Vrij had equalised only six minutes earlier after Turkey went into the break 1-0 up from Samet Akaydin’s 35th- minute header.

Turkey rode waves of passionate support at the Olympiastadion to put themselves on course for an unlikely semi-final place but, after keeping the Dutch at bay, they finally succumbed to the pressure in the last 20 minutes.

France and Spain meet in the other semi-final on Tuesday before the Dutch face England in Dortmund on Wednesday.

"We knew it was going to be tough so I'm really pleased that we made it through," said Dutch coach Ronald Koeman.

"It's a win not only because we were probably the better side but also because we showed fight and we did not give up."

The only one of the weekend’s quarter-finals to be completed without extra time or penalties was no less drama-filled.

Turkey’s goal came after a strange decision from Dutch fullback Denzel Dumfries to let a shot, which had clearly deflected off Nathan Ake, go out for a corner when he could easily have kept the ball in play.

The resultant set piece was initially cleared but fell for teenager Arda Guler to deliver a perfect cross to the back post and Akaydin was first in a queue of three Turkish players to rise and head home.

SUSTAINED PRESSURE

The goal came after sustained pressure from Turkey, who had seen off early Dutch dominance, to set