Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven continues to shine for the Netherlands in Euro 2024.
Despite not being a regular starter under Ronald Koeman, Van de Ven has made impactful contributions off the bench, featuring in four games.
In the quarter-finals against Turkey, the Netherlands secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory. Van de Ven was introduced as a substitute, playing 17 crucial minutes.
As shown in the following clip, Turkey’s forward sent a dangerous low cross into the box, which goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen managed to parry away in the closing stages.
The ball, however, fell to Zeki Celik, who appeared certain to score into an open net. Van de Ven made a clutch game-saving block, ensuring the Netherlands’ lead and their progression to the semi-finals.
The Netherlands broke Turkey’s hearts at Euro 2024 as Ronald Koeman’s side came from behind in Berlin to secure a 2-1 quarter-final victory and set up a semi with England on Wednesday.
Despite a bright start, the Dutch began to lose a bit of impetus as the first half wore on, and fell behind when Samet Akaydin headed home Arda Guler’s searching cross at the back post. Guler almost made it 2-0 early in the second half, too, but saw his free-kick tipped onto the post by Bart Verbruggen.
Eventually the Netherlands began to exert some dominance as they chased the game, and Stefan de Vrij drew them level with a thumping header from Memphis Depay’s cross. And within five minutes they were ahead, as Mert Muldur turned Denzel Dumfries’ low centre into his own goal as he came under pressure from Cody Gakpo.
Turkey pushed for an equaliser, and substitute Micky van de Ven made a heroic goal-line clearance from Zeki Celik and Verbruggen denied Semih Kilicsoy from point-blank range as the Dutch held on to book a trip to Dortmund later this week.
GOAL rates the Netherlands’ players from the Olympiastadion…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Bart Verbruggen (7/10):
Caught in no-man’s land for Turkey’s opener as Guler’s cross drifted over his head. Did get across well to tip the Real Madrid teenager’s free-kick onto the post, though, before his superb reaction save in stoppage-time sealed victory.
Denzel Dumfries (6/10):
A non-factor in attack and liability defensively for the first 70 minutes. Came to life thereafter, as his cross led to the own goal before he made some massive late blocks and challenges.
Stefan de Vrij (7/10):
Towering header got the Dutch back on level terms. The most solid of the two centre-backs defensively, too.
Virgil van Dijk (4/10):
Shaken by Yilmaz’s relentlessness to the point he was booked for a foul on the forward. Far from his usual dominant self.
Nathan Ake (6/10):
Took a booking to deny Turkey a shot on goal. Rarely lets his team down, even if he is an unspectacular performer.
Midfield
Jerdy Schouten (5/10):
Neat and tidy in possession but he lacks any kind of incisiveness in his passing. Highlights how much De Jong is missed.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Regularly broke lines with his ball-carrying, though he did run down a couple of blind allies. Another decent showing from the AC Milan man.
Xavi Simons (3/10):
Got himself into good positions and pockets of space, but did little with the opportunity to create for his team-mates. Booked in the first half, too.