Winger Cody Gakpo’s goal drive proves key for Dutch run to Euro 2024 last four

BERLIN – Netherlands desperately needed the attacking quality of Cody Gakpo to edge past Turkey 2-1 in their Euro 2024 quarter-final on July 6, with the forward forcing an own goal by the Turks to get them out of trouble and into the last four.

For much of the game, nothing was going their way, with Turkey taking the lead via Samet Akaydin and controlling proceedings before an equaliser from Stefan de Vrij in the 70th minute at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.

But it was Gakpo’s drive towards the goal in the 76th minute, sprinting in at the far post to connect with a low cross causing Turkey’s Mert Muldur to send the ball into his own net, that

put the Dutch into the semi-finals,

where they will face England on July 10.

The 25-year-old forward has been the Netherlands’ key man in this tournament with three goals and an assist in five games.

Even if their second goal on July 6 was given as an own goal, Ronald Koeman’s team would not be anywhere near a potential shot at their first European title since 1988 without his finishing.

Gakpo also scored the first goal in their 3-0 last-16 win over Romania before Donyell Malen added two more, and he netted twice more in the group stage, both times scoring his side’s first goal.

It led former Oranje striker Pierre van Hooijdonk to call the Liverpool man Netherlands’ “star”.

Only France’s Kylian Mbappe (nine) has scored more times than Gakpo (six) across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

He is also only the third Netherlands player to score three or more goals at two major tournaments. The others are Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992 and World Cups in 1994 and 1998).

Former England defender Gary Neville said on ITV that while Gakpo had played deeper and more central at Liverpool, former PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy had told him that Gakpo is “definitely a left-sided forward”.

“That is his best position. I think he has proved that in this tournament,” added Neville.

Gakpo’s contributions have given Koeman the confidence to look far.

“I prefer to play against Spain because we have already played against France in the group stage,” he said when asked who he would like to face in the July 14 final, before adding: “We have to beat England first.”

Despite their exit, Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella said they will be seen with “more respect” in future.

The future is certainly bright for their breakout star Arda Guler.

The Real Madrid attacking midfielder announced his arrival on the international stage with a long-distance strike in their 3-1 win over Georgia on June 19.

At 19 years and 114 days, he broke Cristiano Ronald’s record for the youngest player to score on his Euro debut. The teenager also has two assists.

“He played a great Euro,” Montella said. “This experience will make him a far better player.”

Guler will still only be 27 when Turkey and Italy co-host Euro 2032, after Britain and Ireland stage the 2028 edition. REUTERS, AFP