"They look ugly" – Rio Ferdinand makes bold claim as he predicts winner of England vs Netherlands Euro 2024 semi-final
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has backed England to beat Netherlands 2-0 in their UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final clash in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10).
Ahead of The Three Lions' second Euro last-four game in the space of three years, Ferdinand said that Netherlands are too weak to handle Gareth Southgate's team. He elaborated:
"I don't think it'll be close. I just think we're coming into form in the right time. They've not even hit the form... they look ugly, worse than us. I just think we got too much."
England, who topped Group C of the Euro 2024, beat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties in their recent quarter-final match. Earlier, they defeated Slovakia 2-1 at the end of 120 minutes of action in their last-16 clash.
Netherlands, on the other hand, registered a 2-1 comeback victory against Turkey in their continental last-eight contest. They eased past Romania 3-0 after finishing third behind Austria and France in Group D.
Since the turn of the centruy, England have registered just one win and four losses in their nine meetings against Ronald Koeman's side.
Chris Sutton says England should be wary of 2 Netherlands stars in Euro 2024 match
In his column for BBC, ex-Chelsea striker Chris Sutton named the two Netherlands players who could terrorise England's defenders in the upcoming Euro 2024 game. He wrote:
"Wout Weghorst's physicality made the difference against Turkey after he came on at half-time when they were 1-0 down. Gareth Southgate has been accused of not being decisive enough with his substitutions, but Ronald Koeman got it right there."
Sutton, who represented The Three Lions once in his career, added:
"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."
Opining on Cody Gakpo's potential threat, the 51-year-old continued:
"It is not just Weghorst that [The Thre Lions] 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 Netherlands, though, he has been their best player at this tournament."
Weghorst, 31, has scored once in five appearances at the Euro 2024.
Gakpo, on the other hand, is his team's Euro 2024 top-scorer. The 25-year-old has contributed three goals and one assist in five matches.