"In an attacking capacity, England just have not turned up yet" - Chris Sutton predicts who will win Netherlands vs England in Euro 2024 semi-final
BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton has backed England to defeat the Netherlands 2-1 in their upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final. The two sides are set to face each other at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday, July 10.
Ronald Koeman and Co. have had a mixed Euro 2024 campaign to date after losing Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners to injury before the tournament started. They also finished third in Group D with four points from three games behind France and Austria, and were fortunate to advance to the knockouts.
Despite their tricky start, they defeated Romania 3-0 in the Round of 16, before beating Turkey 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
In contrast, England are yet to click as an attacking unit at Euro 2024 and have failed to look convincing in their fixtures so far.
The Three Lions did manage to top Group C with five points but they drew two games, scoring just two goals in total. They narrowly defeated Slovakia 2-1 in extra time in their Round-of-16 clash before scraping past Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Sutton explained why he predicted England to come out on top at Euro 2024, writing (via BBC Sport):
"Wout Weghorst's physicality made the difference for the Dutch against Turkey after he came on at half-time when they were 1-0 down. England manager Gareth Southgate has been accused of not being decisive enough with his substitutions, but Ronald Koeman got it right for the Netherlands there.
"Rather than trying to be intricate and playing through Turkey, they got the ball wide, crossed it in and Weghorst was a massive threat. I do not necessarily think he will start against England, but they will have him as an option on the bench if they need him."
He added:
"It is not just Weghorst that England have to watch out for though, because Cody Gakpo will be dangerous too. Gakpo probably has not delivered the form we expected from him for Liverpool, but he has had his moments. For the Netherlands, though, he has been their best player at this tournament.
"There is the possibility that, like England against Switzerland, the Netherlands will move to playing with three at the back for this game. Koeman often does that when he faces stronger teams. If the teams do match up with the same formation, I think England have a better midfield than the Dutch duo of Jerdy Schouten and Tijjani Reijnders."
Sutton delved into the Three Lions' issues:
"The problem is that, in an attacking capacity, England just have not turned up yet. They have relied on some big moments so far, but the equalisers Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka scored against Slovakia and Switzerland were both with their team's first shot on target of the game.
"So, how do you call this? I don't think anything is going to drastically change in the way England play - they are not going to suddenly find some amazing patterns of play that break the Netherlands down. Instead, if England are going to reach their second successive Euros final, they are going to have to rely on individual brilliance again."
He concluded:
"I have not just been blindly backing them to get through each knockout round in Germany but they are definitely on the more gentle side of the draw. This is their toughest game yet, and it is going to be very close, but I do think England will edge it... somehow."
Sutton's Prediction: Netherlands 1-2 England
"I would have taken one if I was still on the pitch" - England star Phil Foden hits back at claims suggesting he didn't want to take a penalty in Euro 2024 QF fixture
Manchester City ace Phil Foden has stated that he would have taken a penalty had he been on the pitch, while admitting the Three Lions did have better penalty specialists than him.
Gareth Southgate's men were forced to go to penalties in their Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland after the game ended 1-1 at the end of extra time. They were flawless in the shootout, winning 5-3, with Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, and Trent Alexander-Arnold getting on the scoresheet.
Alexander-Arnold was recorded telling two friends that one player didn't want to take a penalty, leading fans to believe it was Foden. However, the latter told talkSPORT (via METRO):
"I would have taken one if I was still on the pitch but I think there’s players who take them regularly for their clubs so it makes sense for them to take them. I think that’s what Gareth did, put the best penalty-takers on the pitch. I’m glad he did that now because it definitely worked in our favour."
He added:
"I feel like it’s a confidence thing, if you belief you’re going to score you can definitely be a penalty-taker. Like I said, I wouldn’t have minded taking one if I was still on the pitch but there’s probably better penalty-takers than me."
Foden has struggled for form at Euro 2024, failing to register a goal contribution in five starts so far.