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Gary Neville Reflects on Facing the Netherlands Ahead of Euro 2024 Semi-Final Clash
England will need to be prepared for a significant step up in the quality of their opponents when they face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, according to former England defender Gary Neville.
The Oranje fought back from a goal down to defeat Turkey 2-1 just hours after England navigated a penalty shootout win over Switzerland in the earlier quarter-final match. The two sides will now meet on Wednesday evening at the Westfalenstadion, with the winner earning the right to face either France or Spain in next Sunday’s final.
Neville, who lined up alongside current England manager Gareth Southgate in the England defence when the two teams last met at a major tournament in 1996, fondly recalled that 4-1 victory and is hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
“It’s a proper game,” Neville told ITV as a pundit. “This is a step up, obviously, on Wednesday, but you’d expect that in a semi-final. It’s going to be a fantastic match, obviously, in Dortmund’s stadium.”
The former Manchester United full-back acknowledged that England’s route to the semi-finals has been relatively kind so far, but he believes facing the resurgent Netherlands will be a significant challenge.
“England’s route, so far, has been pretty favourable. This is a step up, obviously, on Wednesday, but you’d expect that in a semi-final it’s going to be a fantastic match, obviously, in Dortmund’s stadium,” Neville said.
The winner of the England-Netherlands clash will earn the chance to compete for the Euro 2024 title, with either defending champions France or Spain awaiting them in the final. Fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating a thrilling semi-final showdown between two of international football’s most storied rivals.
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