July 9th 2024.
Former football player Roy Keane recently shared his prediction for the upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final match between England and the Netherlands. Despite a lackluster performance in Germany, the Three Lions are just two wins away from potentially lifting their first major trophy in men's football since their victory in 1966.
England began their Euros campaign with a tense 1-0 win over Serbia, followed by draws against Denmark and Slovenia. However, they managed to secure the top spot in Group C and entered the easier side of the tournament bracket. In the last 16, they narrowly avoided a defeat to Slovakia with Jude Bellingham's injury-time equalizer and Harry Kane's extra-time winner. The quarter-finals saw them coming from behind against Switzerland, with Bukayo Saka's goal rescuing them and leading them to a victory on penalties.
Their next challenge is a semi-final meeting with the Netherlands, who only managed to accumulate four points in their group stage matches. However, they advanced to the knockout stages as one of the best third-place teams. The Dutch then went on to outclass Romania and come from behind to beat Turkey, securing their spot in the semi-finals for the first time since 2004.
Keane was unimpressed with the Netherlands' performance against Turkey and believes that England will come out on top in their upcoming match in Dortmund. However, he warns that they will need to improve if they want to defeat the winner of the other semi-final between Spain and France in the final on Sunday in Berlin.
Speaking on a sports show, Keane shared his thoughts, saying, "I fancy England to win the semi-final against the Netherlands. But if they were to face France or Spain with the same level of performance, it might not be enough for England. However, you cross that bridge when you get to it." He also noted that the energy levels and morale within the England camp are high after their recent win, but they must continue to peak at the right time and stay focused.
Keane also praised England's depth and their ability to produce match-winning performances when needed, citing Bukayo Saka's goal against Switzerland as an example. He also reflected on his own career and the unpredictability of knockout tournaments, saying that sometimes even the best teams can have a tough time while others may advance with lower-quality performances.
In conclusion, Keane expressed his confidence in England's chances of success in the tournament, saying, "England are in a great place right now. They have match winners and players who can step up when needed. Even in the penalties, the substitutes came on and scored goals. If you're in Gareth's [Southgate] team, things are going along nicely."
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