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Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has opened up about Stefan de Vrij's equaliser in their UEFA Euro 2024 clash against Turkiye. The two sides faced off at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday, July 6.
Turkiye took the lead in the 35th-minute courtesy of a Samet Akaydin header from an Arda Guler right-foot cross. Oranje pushed for an equaliser but failed to find it in the remainder of the first half. In the 70th minute, centre-back Stefan de Vrij scored a powerful header past Mert Gunok via a Memphis Depay cross after a short corner.
After the game, the Netherlands goalkeeper Verbruggen shared what he felt when the equaliser went in, saying (via The European Lad on X):
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"When De Vrij went in the air I went in the air too, doing the header by myself. We are so happy, we are so proud. Semi Final here we come!"
It was De Vrij's fourth goal for the Netherlands in his 69th appearance. Mert Muldur scored an own goal in the 76th minute under pressure from Cody Gakpo from a Denzel Dumfries cross. Ronaldo Koeman's side held on despite a late Turkiye pressure to seal their place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
They will face England, who beat Switzerland on penalties, in the semi-final on July 10 at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.
A look at Netherlands' run at Euro 2024 so far after De Vrij and Mert Muldur's own goal helps them reach semi-finals
The Dutch came into the tournament with an excellent defense on paper but doubts over their midfield and attack. Frenkie de Jong's injury further raised doubts about their potential to win Euro 2024.
However, they have done well so far. They began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Poland followed by a goalless draw against France. A surprise 3-2 defeat against Austria saw them finish third in Group D. However, they qualified for the Round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed teams.
They comfortably beat Romania 3-2 in the last 16 before edging past Turkiye in the quarter-finals. They will next face England in the semi-finals. If they beat the Three Lions, they will face either Spain or France in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on July 14.
