Gary Neville has cautiously revealed his prediction for England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions meet Ronald Koeman’s Orange Army in Dortmund on Wednesday night for a place in Sunday’s Euros final.
England progressed to the final-four with a penalty shootout victory over stubborn Switzerland after the quarter-final tie finished 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Southgate’s side were heading out when Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead on 75 minutes but – just as they did in the previous round against Slovakia – rallied and found an instant equaliser through Bukayo Saka’s crisp strike.
Penalties were required as the teams could not be separated after extra time and England were faultless in the shootout, scoring all five efforts while Manuel Akanji missed for Switzerland.
The Three Lions, who were beaten finalists at the last European Championship, will face the Netherlands next after they came from behind to defeat Turkey.
Turkey enjoyed an impressive run to the quarters and looked set to extend their stay in Germany when Samet Akaydin gave them the lead before half time.
But the Netherlands scored twice in six second-half minutes – first through Stefan de Vrij and the second an own goal – to turn the tie around and progress to their first Euros semi-final since 2004.
Neville described the semi-final clash in Dortmund as a ‘proper game’ and suggested an England win was ‘written in the stars’ as they continue to advance despite failing to find their top form.
‘That’s a proper game,’ Neville said on ITV. ‘You’re always going to face the best teams at some point in the competition.
‘England’s route so far has been pretty favourable. This is a step-up but you’d expect that in a semi-final.’
Pressed for his prediction, Neville added: ‘Do you know something? Honestly, I think there’s an element of what’s happening in this tournament that makes you think it’s written in the stars.
‘Something is happening. Everything that could fall for us is. We’ve won one game in 90 minutes out of five and yet we’re in the semis so you think something is happening for us.’
Fellow ex-England defender Joleon Lescott, meanwhile, said: ‘I’m confident. Maybe it’s just the effect of winning on penalties but I’m confident we will beat Holland.’
On the other side of the draw, France take on Spain after they beat Portugal and Germany respectively in the quarter-finals.
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