De Vrij’s first international goal in over nine years kicks off a comeback for the Netherlands, who beat Montella’s Türkiye to advance. Theo scores the decisive penalty for France, while the Swiss are eliminated by England after a penalty shootout defeat

The semi-finals of Euro 2024 are on the horizon following the intense and thrilling quarter-final clashes that saw various Serie A Enilive players take to the pitch. The four matches at the weekend delivered plenty of late emotions, with two of them being decided on penalties, another going to extra time and only one finishing after 90 minutes. Various Italian top-flight players can be found in two of the remaining teams in the competition, demonstrating the importance of our league from an international standpoint.

The first quarter-final showdown pitted Germany against Spain, two of the best performing sides in the competition. After Dani Olmo’s opener for the Spaniards, Wirtz scored a later leveller to take the game into extra time, during which Merino bagged the winner for La Roja.

The other last-eight clash on Friday 5 July saw the two Euro 2016 finalists, Portugal and France, take each other on in Hambug. Leao (AC Milan) provided a threat for the Portuguese with his bursts forward down the left flank before being replaced by Joao Felix at the start of the second half of extra time. As for the French, who were without the suspended Rabiot, Mike Maignan (AC Milan) took centre stage in the second half with his saves to deny Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is yet to concede from open play in the tournament, in which he’s so far kept four clean sheets in five matches. Thuram (Inter), who came on for Kolo Muani in the 86th minute, contributed to France’s attacking moves in extra time, while Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), a big figure on the left throughout, fired the decisive penalty past Diogo Costa to seal Les Bleus’ spot in the semi-finals.

Spain and France will now meet at the Munich Football Arena for the first time since 10 October 2021, when Deschamps’ men ran out 2-1 winners in the UEFA Nations League final at San Siro. The last meeting between the two teams at the Euros took place in the quarter-finals in 2012. Back then, Del Bosque’s La Roja won 2-0 before later going on to win the trophy.

In the first quarter-final match on Saturday 6 July, England beat Switzerland 5-3 on penalties to progress. After Saka had cancelled out Embolo’s opener in normal time, Pickford’s save to deny Akanji from the spot ended up proving decisive in the shootout. The European adventure of the Swiss “Italians” is now over, but they certainly enjoyed an impressive run. From Sommer (Inter) and Rodriguez (Torino), who, against The Three Lions, produced yet another impeccable display, through to Freuler and Aebischer (Bologna), both of whom were substituted shortly before the penalty shootout, and Ndoye (Bologna), who provided the assist for Switzerland’s goal.

Türkiye vs. Netherlands was the final last-eight showdown and the only game where Serie A Enilive players came up against each other, with three Inter men on the pitch from the opening minute. Calhanoglu (Inter) returned to the starting line-up in midfield following his suspension, while Montella also once again selected Yildiz (Juventus) down the left. Celik started on the bench before entering the fray with 15 minutes remaining. As for the Netherlands, Koeman chose Dumfries (Inter) at right-back, De Vrij (Inter) alongside Van Dijk in the centre of defence and Reijnders (AC Milan) in midfield. The Turks took a first-half lead through Samet Akaydin, but the Dutch responded in the second half through a header from Stefan De Vrij (his fourth goal for his country) and an own goal from former Sassuolo man Muldur, who put into his own net under pressure from Gakpo.

The Dutch have progressed to the European Championship semi-finals for the first time in 20 years (Euro 2004), while England remain on course to reach their second consecutive Euro final.

The upcoming clash at the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund will represent a first in the European Championship knockouts: the Oranje and England have only previously met once in the competition, and that was in the group stage (in 1996).

Inter (4) and AC Milan (3) are the two Italian clubs with the most representatives in these semi-finals. There have been five goals scored by Nerazzurri players during these Euros (Bastoni, Barella, Arnautovic, Calhanoglu and De Vrij); Inter only trail Bayern Munich (six) in this regard.

Semi-final calender:

• 9 July, 21:00 CEST, Spain vs. France
• 10 July, 21:00 CEST, Netherlands vs. England

(Photo Getty Images)

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