Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Netherlands2 - 1Turkey

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 July 2024, 22:06
A second-half own goal from Mert Muldur proved to be the difference between the Netherlands and Turkey in Saturday night's Euro 2024 quarter-final.

Turkey took the lead in the 35th minute of the contest through Samet Akaydin, but Stefan de Vrij levelled the scores in the 70th minute, before Muldur's own goal handed Ronald Koeman's side a 2-1 win.

Netherlands will now take on England in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday night.

Here, Sports Mole takes a close look at how each player performed during the European Championship last-eight affair.

Netherlands player ratings vs. Turkey: Verbruggen, De Vrij impress for Koeman's side

GOALKEEPER

Bart Verbruggen - 8/10

Made a wonderful save in the final stages of the contest to keep out a close-range header from Semih Kilicsoy, and he proved to be a very dependable presence between the sticks on Saturday night.

DEFENCE

Denzel Dumfries - 7/10

Like a number of his teammates, found it difficult in the first period against an energetic Turkey, but he grew into the match and provided the assist for his side's second of the match.

Stefan de Vrij - 8/10

Levelled the scores with a towering header in the 70th minute and was impressive in the second period after initially finding Turkey's forwards difficult to contain in the first half.

Virgil van Dijk - 7/10

Not quite at his best, with Turkey having joy during stages of the match, but Van Dijk grew into the match and was driving his side forward in the second half of the contest.

Nathan Ake - 6/10

Was a touch fortunate not to be sent off early in the second period for what looked to be a last-man challenge, and he was replaced in his team's second change of the match.

MIDFIELD

Jerdy Schouten - 7/10

Completed the full 90 minutes on Saturday night, with Koeman clearly trusting him in a midfield area, and the 27-year-old was certainly neat and tidy in possession.

Xavi Simons - 6/10

Struggled to make his mark against Turkey, with not too much coming off for the talented attacker. Netherlands will need a big improvement from Simons against England next week.

Tijjani Reijnders - 6/10

Like a number of his teammates, found it difficult in the first period, but he settled in the second and was involved in a lot of good work from the Netherlands before being substituted in the 73rd minute.

ATTACK

Steven Bergwijn - 5/10

In truth, there was not too much from the former Tottenham Hotspur attacker in the opening 45 minutes, and it was not a surprise when he was replaced at the half-time break.

Memphis Depay - 6/10

Proved to be a threat, with the attacker causing problems in the final third of the field, but he was wasteful when he had opportunities to find the back of the net.

Cody Gakpo - 7/10

Was not too involved for long spells of the match, but he made a telling contribution for his side's second of the match, and it was not a surprise that the Liverpool attacker completed the full 90 minutes.

SUBSTITUTES

Wout Weghorst - 7/10

Made an excellent last-ditch challenge when Turkey were 1-0 ahead, and he caused problems with his height. Proved to be a worthwhile substitution for Koeman's side.

Micky Van de Ven - 6/10

Unfortunate not to start, but he could well be considered for a spot in the XI against England due to his pace. Showed some good defensive work after entering in the 73rd minute.

Joey Veerman - 6/10

Veerman was also introduced in the 73rd minute of the match, and the midfielder was able to steady his side when they needed a breather in the latter stages.

Jeremie Frimpong - 6/10

Had a couple of chances to break clear in the latter stages, but he could not take them.

Joshua Zirkzee - 6/10

Big striker could be on his way to Manchester United from Bologna during this summer's transfer window, and he was introduced for the closing stages of the contest.

Turkey player ratings vs. Netherlands: Guler puts in man-of-the-match performance

GOALKEEPER

Mert Gunok - 7/10

In no way to blame for Turkey's defeat, as he could do nothing with either goal, and the goalkeeper made some smart saves over the course of the quarter-final.

DEFENCE

Mert Muldur - 6/10

Made a strong start to the match and was always an outlet down the right, but he unfortunately turned into the back of his own net to hand Netherlands the win.

Kaan Ayhan - 6/10

Enjoyed his battle with Memphis for long stages, and he was steady at the back, but it would be fair to say that the defender struggled when Netherlands increased the tempo.

Samet Akaydin - 7/10

Headed Turkey ahead in the quarter-final, but it was not enough to secure the win. Can be proud of his overall performance despite the disappointment of the result.

Abdulkerim Bardakci - 6/10

Held firm under some strong pressure from the Netherlands, but Turkey were undone by a cross and an own goal, as they exited the competition in disappointing circumstances.

Ferdi Kadioglu - 7/10

Again demonstrated his quality with a strong performance down the left for Turkey, and it would not be a surprise to see the 24-year-old make the move to a major European team at some point in the near future.

MIDFIELD

Baris Alper Yilmaz - 7/10

Was one of Turkey's best players in the first period, with his pace and power causing so many problems, but he just needed a little bit more care in the final third of the field.

Salih Ozcan - 6/10

Was not a surprise when he was the first player replaced after the Netherlands had scored their second, as he was just starting to tire in the middle of the midfield.

Hakan Calhanoglu - 7/10

Returned to the side after a one-game suspension and was excellent in the opening 45 minutes, but it would be fair to say that the Turkey captain found it difficult in the second period.

Kenan Yildiz - 7/10

Can also be proud of his 77 minutes of football in the quarter-final, as he offered a threat in a wide area, but Turkey were guilty as a whole of lacking that final piece of quality.

ATTACK

Arda Guler - 9/10

The best player on the pitch. Provided a wonderful weak-footed assist for Turkey to open the scoring, and he went on to hit the post in the second period. A real superstar.

SUBSTITUTES

Okay Yokuslu - 6/10

Was brought on as Turkey attempted to get a grip of the midfield once again, but he found it tough.

Kerem Akturkoglu - 7/10

Proved to be a real threat during his short period on the field and came close on a couple of occasions to finding the back of the net. Will feel that he should have started.

Zeki Celik - 6/10

Celik also made an impact for Turkey in the final stages, with his threat down the right clear to see.

Cenk Tosun - 6/10

Had a couple of late half-chances after being introduced in the 82nd minute, and it might have been a different story if the experienced striker had featured at an earlier point.

Semih Kilicsoy - 6/10

Thought that he had levelled the scores from a header in stoppage time, only to be denied by a wonderful save from the Dutch goalkeeper. Will be thinking about that chance for some time.

Top News

22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Dundee Utd vs. Celtic (Sunday, 12.00pm) Celtic, looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership, will travel to Tannadice Park on Sunday afternoon to face Dundee United. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton vs. Chelsea (Sunday, 2.00pm) Chelsea have the chance to go top of the Premier League for a brief time at least when they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk South American giants Palmeiras have reportedly sent an 'initial proposal' to Fulham for midfielder Andreas Pereira. 22 December 2024 talksport.com Nuno Espirito Santo will rival Arne Slot to win the Premier League's Manager of the Year award. 22 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona want to sever ties with attacker Ansu Fati at the earliest opportunity in the January transfer window but the player is rebelling against a move, according to a report. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane has confirmed that he wants to remain at the Allianz Arena despite links with a return to the Premier League next year. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serie A powerhouses Napoli have supposedly expressed an interest in signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Alexander Sorloth scored a last-gasp winner as Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys to go top of the La Liga table. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka has been seen leaving Selhurst Park on crutches after sustaining a suspected hamstring problem in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have written a new page of English football history thanks to their 5-1 destruction of London rivals Crystal Palace in Saturday's Premier League derby. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round 17 of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig will be wrapped up with a clash between two sides from the Marmara region, as Istanbul Basaksehir welcome Kasimpasa to the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on Monday evening. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Leicester loan star Facundo Buonanotte wants to see a Tottenham forward join him so they can rekindle their partnership. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal's rivals will hate it but they can definitely claim London is red after their 5-1 win over Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus continued his resurgence with two goals as the Gunners demolished Crystal Palace 5-1 in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal fans' worst fears have been realised with Bukayo Saka substituted early with a suspected hamstring injury. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have suffered a worrying injury blow over Bukayo Saka, who appeared to pick up a hamstring problem in Saturday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona and Arsenal are reportedly both interested in signing Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume, with the France Under-21s international potentially leaving Estadio Ramon next summer. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have welcomed Ferland Mendy back into their squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Sevilla. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Mykhailo Mudryk will be sat ringside at Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Tyson Fury days after being suspended from football. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton have confirmed the appointment of former Roma head coach Ivan Juric as their new manager following the departure of Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United's 4-0 victory against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road ensured that they followed up their qualification for the EFL Cup semi-final with an important three points in the Premier League. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Southampton have confirmed ex-Roma boss Ivan Juric as their new manager to replace Russell Martin. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest enhanced their Champions League credentials and condemned Brentford to their first home loss of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. 21 December 2024 talksport.com Jack Grealish burned some bridges with Aston Villa after taunting the club's fans following their victory over Manchester City. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A fitting final Premier League match before Christmas Day, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool engage in a battle of the behemoths in North London on Sunday afternoon. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa handed Manchester City a 2-1 defeat on Saturday, adding to the woes of Pep Guardiola's side, who have now endured nine losses in their last 12 matches. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has claimed that his side decided to defeat Manchester City "through domination" on Saturday afternoon. 21 December 2024 talksport.com "This is a crisis." 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome Sevilla to Bernabeu on Sunday. 21 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have added Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to their wishlist for the summer transfer window, according to a report.