A high-stakes showdown in Dortmund tonight will determines which team progresses to Sunday’s decider, where Spain is already waiting after defeating France 2-1 on Tuesday.
Seeking their second European title, after lifting the Henri Delaunay trophy in Germany 36 summers ago, Koeman’s men are making their way through the so-called ‘weaker’ half of the draw, having only emerged from Group D in third place.
Following victory over Poland, a draw with France, and an eventful defeat to Austria, the Oranje were handed a relatively kind last-16 tie against Romania, in which they ultimately ran out 3-0 winners.
Through to a third major tournament semi-final in four attempts, England are gradually ecoming a regular at major tournaments final four. They got to this year’s Euro semis after edging Switzerland in a keenly contested game 5-3 on penalties as the game got tied 1-1 after 120 minutes of intensed actions.
The Three Lions reached a fourth European Championship semi-final overall by seeing off Switzerland in last week’s quarter-finals.
This will be the fourth major-tournament meeting betweeen the Three Lions and the Oranje. Netherlands won 3-1 en route to glory at Euro ’88, followed by a goalless draw at the 1990 World Cup and then a famous 4-1 England win in 1996.
FACTS:
- This is England’s fourth European Championship semi-final.
- This will be the fourth competitive meeting in major tournaments between both sides.
- England have won just one of the nations’ last nine meetings in all competitions
PREDICTIONS:
- Over 3.5 Cards
- Over 8.5 corners
- H2 – over 1.5 goals
- BTTS