Euro 2024: England and Netherlands fight for the right to play Spain in the final

France exits Euro 2024 after losing to Spain. England faces the Netherlands in the semifinal at Signal Iduna Park. Who will meet Spain in the final?

The winner takes all between the Netherlands and England will interest everyone, who will win this game? (Photo credit: GOAL)

Pre-tournament favorites  France got bundled out of the 2024 Euro competition on Tuesday after a 2-1 loss to Spain at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Le Blues struggled to reach the semifinal of the competition, only managing to advance through a series of own-goals and a Kylian Mbappe penalty. The victory of football over antics was evident as Spain's youthful energy surged into the final.

On Wednesday, it’s the turn of the 3Lions against the Oranje at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park in Germany. It’s another opportunity for Gareth Southgate to enter his second final after losing the last edition to Italy.

England has been somewhat underwhelming at the ongoing Euros, laboring to win in extra time and on penalties against Slovakia and Switzerland, respectively, in their last two knockout games; the semifinal game represents another chance for England to impress their fans.

Ronald Koeman’s side didn’t get lots of ratings from fans and bookmakers going into the tournament, but, despite finishing third in their group behind France and Austria, they have managed to give themselves the chance of winning a major trophy since they last won the Euros in 1988.

Despite criticism for his team's lackluster performance in the group stage, Koeman's Oranje earned respect and fear with a clinical 3-0 victory over Romania and a 2-1 comeback victory over Turkey in the quarterfinals.

The reward for winning this fixture is a ticket to the tournament final, which will take place on Sunday at the Olympia Stadium against La Roja. Whoever wins between England and the Netherlands will be at the mercy of Spain, but you won’t write anyone off at this stage.

How will they line up? Once again, England will be expected to play with handbrakes. Southgate will have the full complement of his first-choice left-back, with Luke Shaw back to full fitness. Marc Guehi is also back from suspension; he has some tinkering to do.

It is quite straightforward for Koeman; he will likely return with his main eleven, and Cody Gakpo will have all eyes on him as he seeks to win the Golden Boot, which is now a straight battle between him and Dani Olmo of Spain.

Xavi Simmons, Memphis Depay, and Van Dijk are the key players for the Netherlands, while England will once again rely on the trickery of Bukayo Saka and the creativity of Phil Foden. Harry Kane has yet to impress anyone at this tournament, but he will hope to finally find the spark when it matters most.