England take on the Netherlands in the second semi-final of Euro 2024, with both sides looking to book a place in Sunday’s final as they face off in Dortmund.
The Three Lions put in an improved performance against Switzerland but still required penalties to reach the semis, with Bukayo Saka shining, but they will know they need to improve again if they are to beat the Dutch.
Gareth Southgate’s men remain slight favourites to make Sunday’s showpiece, but they’ll need to be wary of the threat from players including Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons and Memphis Depay.
Ronald Koeman’s side started the tournament in a similar fashion to England, but a 3-0 win against Romania followed by an enthralling 2-1 turnaround in the quarter-final against Turkey means that the Oranje will be quietly confident ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Follow the latest updates and reaction from the Netherlands vs England below:
Euro 2024: Netherlands v England
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England face the Netherlands in the second semi-final of Euro 2024, with kick-off at 8pm BST live on ITV 1
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The Three Lions got past Switzerland on penalties in the quarters, with the Dutch beating Turkey 2-1
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England aren’t finishing Euro 2024 like they started – and it’s still unclear if that’s a good thing
Netherlands – England
Phil Foden hails ‘improvement’ in England attack with new role in formation reshuffle
13:15 , Richard Jolly
Phil Foden believes Gareth Southgate’s change of formation suits him better and will help bring the best out of Jude Bellingham and him.
Southgate switched to a 3-4-2-1 system for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland with Foden, who had played on the left when England opted for 4-2-3-1, instead given a new role as the right-sided No 10.
And the Manchester City player believes it liberated him by allowing him to take up more different positions and to trouble the Swiss.
Foden hails ‘improvement’ in England attack with new role in formation reshuffle
Ivan Toney shows off ‘no look’ skills in England camp after netting famous penalty
13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Gareth Southgate’s England revolution shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s dull
12:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Perhaps it is a revolution you wish had not been televised, but that doesn’t mean that England’s developement at this tournament should be overlooked. Richard Jolly makes the case for the defence:
Southgate’s England revolution shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s dull
Why ‘luck of the draw’ is a lazy phrase to throw at Gareth Southgate’s England
12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Around the England camp, the players know not to even indulge the idea that Euro 2024 has handed them a “forgiving draw”. Gareth Southgate has already bristled at the idea in press conferences, so it’s easy to imagine the attitude with the squad.
Players being players, though, one or two can’t help talking about how they would rather not have faced Spain or France yet. That isn’t to disrespect Netherlands, but Ronald Koeman’s team clearly aren’t comparable to the great Dutch sides of the past, nor the other semi-finalists.
But, as Miguel Delaney explores, there’s far more than just the “luck of the draw” behind England’s recent tournament success.
Why ‘luck of the draw’ is a lazy phrase to throw at Southgate’s England
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s expertise could prove useful for England – Trent Alexander-Arnold
12:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England can count on a little bit of inside knowledge with their very own Dutchman in camp, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink having been drilling the marksmen in Germany as one of Gareth Southgate’s assistants.
Hasselbaink’s expertise could prove useful for England – Trent Alexander-Arnold
Penalty pain and Wembley joy – A look at England’s past semi-final showdowns
12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England take on the Netherlands tonight looking to reach a second successive European Championship final.
It will be the sixth time England’s men have played in the semi-finals of a major tournament, not including the 1968 European Championship when only four teams qualified for the finals.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how England got on in their previous last-four encounters:
Penalty pain and Wembley joy – A look at England’s past semi-final showdowns
Football fan Keir Starmer will have to rely on notes from officials to keep up with England game
11:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Sir Keir Starmer will need to rely on notes from officials to keep up to date with England’s Euro 2024 semi final against the Netherlands.
The new prime minister, an avid Arsenal fan, will be unable to watch one of his favourite players Bukayo Saka and his team mates take on the Dutch on Wednesday for the right to play Spain in Sunday’s final.
Worse still, Sir Keir’s phone will be taken off him for security reasons as he joins other Nato leaders for talks on Ukraine at the Nato summit in Washington DC.
Starmer will have to rely on notes from officials to keep up with England game
Gareth Southgate: England out to ‘break new ground’ after overcoming inhibition
11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Gareth Southgate says England’s players are ready to make history, having overcome external noise, the weight of expectation and a fear of failure to reach another European Championship semi-final.
After topping their group in unconvincing fashion, the Euro 2020 runners-up needed a stunning Jude Bellingham strike to save their blushes against Slovakia before beating Switzerland on penalties.
England are now preparing for a third semi-final in four major tournaments, with the Netherlands standing between them and a second successive Euros final.
“You’re now into that moment in the tournament where it’s what’s possible, what’s achievable, rather than what might go wrong,” boss Southgate said.
Gareth Southgate: England out to ‘break new ground’ after overcoming inhibition
Ben Stokes: It’s tough to see the backlash against England’s footballers
11:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s a sporting cornucopia today with Wimbledon in full swing, a thrilling edition of the Tour de France weaving south and the cricketing Test summer getting underway as Jimmy Anderson says farewell at Lord’s. Ben Stokes and his side are just getting going in London, and the England captain believes that counterpart Kane and co. have had to endure unnecessary criticism while in Germany.
Ben Stokes: It’s tough to see the backlash against England’s footballers
Harry Kane addresses fitness concerns ahead of England’s crunch Euro 2024 semi-final
11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Kane has declared he is “getting better and sharper”, saying he has become accustomed to “question marks over my fitness or my form” throughout his career ahead of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
England’s campaign has seen constant discussion over the captain’s physical condition, with another early substitution against Switzerland leading to calls that Ivan Toney comes in for Wednesday’s semi-final in Dortmund.
Kane came into the tournament after picking up a back injury during the final weeks of the season with Bayern Munich, and there have been questions over whether he has been able to press to the level required for England’s gameplan.
Ahead of facing the Netherlands, the striker dismissed such concerns as typical of the noise around the campaign, and insisted he is ready to start while pointing to a wider role in the team.
“It’s something I’ve got used to throughout my career,” Kane said. ”I think there are always going to be times… especially if you look over the last couple of major tournaments, there’s always been at some stage question marks over my fitness or my form.”
Harry Kane addresses fitness concerns ahead of England’s crunch Euro 2024 semi-final
Keep up to date with the latest football news
10:55 , The Independent
With the Euro 2024 semi-final between England and Netherlands just hours away, keep up to date with the latest — from team news, fixture details, analysis and more.
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Gareth Southgate urges England to seize ‘chance to make history’
10:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Gareth Southgate says England are ready to make history by reaching a first final on foreign soil, having been inhibited earlier in the Euros by expectations and louder external noise than ever before.
After topping their group in unconvincing fashion, the Euro 2020 runners-up needed a stunning Jude Bellingham strike to save their blushes against Slovakia before beating Switzerland on penalties.
England are now preparing for a third semi-final in four major tournaments, with Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands standing between them and a second successive European Championship final.
Southgate has been criticised for his team’s style despite getting this far and the manager revealed the negative mood around the team impacted the players during the group stage.
Gareth Southgate urges England to seize ‘chance to make history’
France’s inefficient Euros exit is down to one dramatic shortfall
10:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A Frenchman finally scored from open play at Euro 2024, Randal Kolo Muani’s early header threatening to spark a dreary dirge of a tournament from Didier Deschamps’ side into life. But it was not to be and, as Richard Jolly explains, that was down to one dramatic shortfall…
France’s inefficient Euros exit is down to one dramatic shortfall
Lamine Yamal signals Spain’s next golden era to leave France with one regret
10:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The identity of one Euro 2024 finalist is, of course, already known, Spain dancing past France as Lamine Yamal announced his arrival as the crowning talent of what could be a new golden era. Miguel Delaney was in Munich to watch Yamal et al:
Lamine Yamal signals Spain’s next golden era to leave France with one regret
England have ‘confronted’ their shortcomings. Next up? Netherlands
10:00 , Karl Matchett
As the magnitude of fixture becomes greater, England’s preparation actually becomes less intense. The squad have done most of the actual work already. A bit like with their successful approach to penalties, there can be a danger of over-preparation. Gareth…
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