The Mills cross the Red Devils to the European Nations semi finals
The Dutch national team confirmed once again that it put behind it
the disappointment of the absence from the 2016 European Cup and
then the 2018 World Cup, by reaching the semi-finals of the European
Nations League by renewing the victory over its strong Belgian guest 1-0
at the end of the fourth group competitions.
The team of coach Louis van Gaal entered his confrontation with his guest,
ranked second in the world, against the background of 14 matches without
defeat since his exit from the European Cup final price at the hands of
the Czech Republic (0-2) on June 27, 2021, and he strengthened this series
by renewing the victory over the “Red Devils”. ” who fell in the first leg at home
1-4, thanks to a late goal scored by the heart of Liverpool’s defense, Virgil van Dijk.
With its first victory at home against the Belgian national team since
September 1997 in the World Cup qualifiers (3-1), the “orange” team decided
the group’s card to the semi-finals, expanding the difference in the lead
to six points after it needed a draw or even a loss by a difference of less
than Three goals to ensure qualification for the semi-finals of this tournament,
which reached the final of its first edition in 2019 when it lost to Portugal 0-1.
Wales finished the group at the bottom of the standings and fell to the second level,
falling at home to Poland with a goal scored by Karol Svidersky (58).
This strong appearance of the orange team, which will host the final rounds
(semi-finals and final) at home between June 14 and 18, is a good preparation
before the World Cup, which begins against African champion Senegal on
November 21, before facing the hosts and Ecuador.
After making him in the previous match against Poland (2-0) the second
oldest player to defend the colors of the national team after goalkeeper
Sander Bosker in 2010 (39 years and 224 days), Van Gaal relied on Ajax goalkeeper
Rimko Pasfer (38 years), which contributed to making him Sunday’s squad has
the longest life expectancy (29 years and 134 days) since June 2004 against Portugal
(29 years and 204 days), according to Opta statistics.
The start was balanced, but with a lack of chances on both goals until the 29th minute,
when Denzel Dumfries hit the ball slightly over the Belgian crossbar.
Van Gaal then had to make an emergency substitution with an injury
to Stephen Birkhaus, who left his place for Cody Gakbo (30), coinciding with
the pace remaining without a threat to the two goals until the end of the first half.
The situation did not change in the second half, which was also lackluster until
the 67th minute, when the Dutch goalkeeper shone in blocking Amadou Onana’s
attempt after a beautiful pass from Kevin De Bruyne.
Finally, the two teams woke up and the Netherlands managed to reach
the net from a corner kick taken by Gakbo from the left and Van Dijk rose
to it high and turned it into the net of Thibaut Courtois (73), then it was close
to a second goal, but Stephen Berchvin’s attempt shook the side net (76).
Belgium responded with an attempt by Timothy Castagni from a difficult angle
that passed next to the post (78), before the Netherlands got two chances that
they did not invest through Davie Claesen and Berchvin, and then the Belgians
got unlucky after the post was on the guard to block the attempt of substitute
Luki Lokibakio (5+90).
The Mills cross the Red Devils to the European Nations semi finals
