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England will have to bypass a Netherlands side in flying form to get a second tilt at the European Championship trophy in Sunday’s final in Berlin.
Ronald Koeman’s players pulled off a late 2-1 win against Turkey to set up their meeting with the Three Lions, their eighth and ninth goals making them the competition’s third-highest scoring nation.
By contrast, Gareth Southgate’s sides have struggled to hit their stride in Germany, winning just one of their matches – the tournament opener against Serbia – in 90 minutes.
Netherlands (4-2-3-1)
GOALKEEPER
BART VERBRUGGEN 7
The Brighton goalkeeper has made the position his own since his debut in October. Error of judgment on a cross was punished by Turkey’s goal in the quarter-final but he made amends with fine saves under pressure in the closing stages.
The Netherlands are gearing up to face Gareth Southgate’s England on the heels of beating Turkey in their quarter-final
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is one of the many threats that lie in wait for Three Lions in Dortmund
After bypassing Switzerland on penalties, England will be keen to put on a confident display
DEFENDERS
DENZEL DUMFRIES 7
A key attacking outlet who drives up and down the right, enabling the back four to flex into a three in possession. The wide-right forward can then tuck inside and link up with the centre forward, leaving the flank open for the rampaging Dumfries.
STEFAN DE VRIJ 7.5
Strong, experienced and good in the air, he scored his first international goal for nine years against Turkey. Has a good understanding with Virgil van Dijk and the fact he’s naturally right-sided means he sweeps across to cover Dumfries.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK 8
Leader of the Dutch pack. Perhaps not as swift across as he was at his peak but the Liverpool star remains a dominating presence who has seen it all. The captain inspires those around him with his aura. Did not give Harry Kane a kick in the 2019 Champions League final.
Bart Verbruggen pulled off a number of fine saves to deny Turkey at the tail end of the clash
Nathan Ake is imbued with winning after spending his season playing with Manchester City
NATHAN AKE 7.5
Deployed primarily as a left back. Can get forward and supplement attack but more often becomes a third centre-half when Dumfries breaks forward. Mobile, tenacious and knows all about winning from his time at Manchester City.
MIDFIELDERS
TIJJANI REIJNDERS 6.5
Elegant passer who started the tournament in a more advanced midfield position, but the AC Milan man dropped deeper as the Netherlands searched for balance in the absence of Frenkie de Jong. More likely to screen and pass than engage defensively.
JERDY SCHOUTEN 6.5
Paired deep alongside Reijnders recently. Another who will circulate possession in midfield with a more defensive instinct. Has filled in at centre-half for PSV. Established in Ronald Koeman’s team since the turn of the year.
DONYELL MALEN 6
Main alternative to Steven Bergwijn on the right. Scored an own goal on his only start against Austria, but came on to score two as a substitute as the Netherlands overran Romania in the last 16. Blistering pace.
Donyell Malen was at fault for an own goal against Austria but has bags of pace to call upon
Xavi Simons (pictured) is an energetic presence in Ronald Koeman’s side – but has struggled to click with Memphis Depay
XAVI SIMONS 7
Playing in the No 10 role in Koeman’s new 4-2-3-1 shape, where he brings energy and vision. Simons can pick a pass and has an eye for goal but lack of chemistry with Memphis Depay concerns his boss.
CODY GAKPO 8
Scorer of three goals at Euro 2024 and unfortunate to see another ruled an own goal. Effective if not fluent on the left wing, and always dangerous at the back post. Enjoys a strong understanding with right back Dumfries.
STRIKER
MEMPHIS DEPAY 6.5
Only one goal at the tournament but remains Koeman’s favourite centre forward. Perhaps the only one in the squad with ability to create something from nothing. Excellent Netherlands goal ratio of 46 in 97 caps.
TOTAL: 77.5/110
Depay (centre) hasn’t brought his shooting boots to Germany but continues to start in the XI
England (3-4-2-1)
GOALKEEPER
JORDAN PICKFORD 7
Easily the team’s most consistent performer here and, if this tie goes to penalties, England have a huge advantage because Pickford as good as guarantees at least one save. Of all Southgate’s concerns, his goalkeeper is not one.
Jordan Pickford is one of England’s most consistent performers during the Southgate era
DEFENDERS
KYLE WALKER 5
Is he tired? Or are his best days behind him? Either way, Walker has not shown the same energy he does for Manchester City. He does not see danger as part of a back three and was caught out for Switzerland’s goal.
JOHN STONES 6
Some good, some not so good, but below-par on the whole and you worry, against top-class opposition, that his game isn’t where it needs to be. Like Walker, he hasn’t reproduced his City form.
MARC GUEHI 6.5
The centre back had been a rare success story before his quarter-final suspension. Likely to return here in place of Ezri Konsa, who was England’s best performer at the back against the Swiss.
John Stones has been unable to replicate his blistering form for Man City within the England XI
Marc Guehi was suspended to face Switzerland but will hope to make his immediate return
WING BACKS
BUKAYO SAKA 6.5
Along with Jude Bellingham, he is the reason England are still here. By some distance the team’s best performer in the last round. Before that, he had existed in moments and did not look 100 per cent fit. A lot riding on him given others’ struggles.
KIERAN TRIPPIER 6
Continues to do a job out of position on the left and was not helped by being used at wing back against Switzerland, with the space in behind exposed. It’s not his fault, but the team lack balance. He’s done OK.
MIDFIELDERS
KOBBIE MAINOO 6.5
He’s offered more in terms of creativity and attacking intent than his senior team-mates, but the suspicion remains he struggles to see out games and make an impact over a prolonged period. His spark is needed, though.
DECLAN RICE 6
He will be disappointed with his performances because the midfield has lacked the control and drive that he is good enough to provide. Still, his commitment and defensive work have been key. Not helped by having three different midfield partners.
Bukayo Saka was England’s strongest performer versus the Swiss, saving the day with his goal
Phil Foden has not looked like the Premier League Player of the Season but is keen to impress in his favoured position
PHIL FODEN 5
Does not look like the Premier League Player of the Year and, while there is sympathy with him playing the first four games on the left, he still hasn’t done enough when on the ball. Doing well to stay in the team on this form.
JUDE BELLINGHAM 6
Without him, England wouldn’t be here, but if he’d performed to his Real Madrid level, England might not have needed his last-minute heroics. There has been no connection so far with Foden and Kane.
STRIKER
HARRY KANE 4.5
Not fully fit and there’s a strong case for dropping him given how ineffective he has been, especially against Switzerland, when he failed to get into the area enough. It feels detrimental to the team to keep him in, but two goals in the tournament do prove his worth.
TOTAL: 65/110
