“We watched the game - Turkey and Holland” - Roy Keane predicts winner of England vs Netherlands Euro 2024 semi-final
Roy Keane believes England has the edge against the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semi-final clash in Dortmund on Wednesday (July 10). The Three Lions have failed to impress but were back to a semblance of their best against Switzerland in their quarter-final win on penalties over Switzerland.
The Three Lions fell behind in the 75th minute but came back into the game. thanks to Arsenal star Bukayo Saka's 80th-minute equaliser before winning 5-3 on penalties. The win galvanised the squad, with Gareth Southgate's men now two games away from glory.
Roy Keane, who represented the Republic of Ireland 67 times, believes the Three Lions could harness the new positive outlook in the team and secure a place in the final, telling The Overlap:
"England are in a great place. If you're in that England camp – it's about peaking at the right time, staying in games, (having) match winners ... and players producing – that was world-class. Even the penalties, the lads coming off the bench scoring goals, if you're Gareth Southgate's players, I'm telling you – it's going along nicely."
"I fancy England to win the semi-final,' he told the panel. 'We watched the game – Turkey and Holland – and England will beat that Holland. But with that level of performance against France or Spain, if they're at it, it probably wouldn't be enough – you cross that bridge when you get to it."
He concluded:
"Emotionally, the energy levels are back up there with England, Gareth (Southgate) was upbeat – that's what a win gives you."
The Three Lions will hope to ride their momentum and book their place in a second consecutive European Championship final. Their path to the Olympiastadion begins with a victory over the Oranje in Dortmund.
Gary Neville surprised England failed to beat Switzerland in regulation time in Euro 2024 QF
Former Three Lions defender Gary Neville has said that he hoped the side would have bagged a second goal in their Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland.
Neville, who made 85 caps for his country, said that following their equaliser and confidence in their play, he expected them to bag a second before the game went to penalties, saying on The Overlap:
"I was surprised we didn't go on and win 2-1. I thought we'd then go on and get that second. Like the Dutch did against Turkey. That's where I thought, 'Go on, you've played reasonably well, we've gone a goal down, we've got back in it, now go and win the game.'"
The Three Lions are into consecutive European Championship semi-finals for the first time as they look to end a 58-year wait for a major international title.