Can England get past Ronald Koeman’s Dutch?

Picture credit: Sky Sports

Wednesday’s Euro 2024 final semi-final between England and the Netherlands will only be their 4th meeting in a major tournament. I discuss the previous three and explain why England will have to defeat a familiar foe in order to reach the final.

There has never been much of a rivalry between the Netherlands and England in the modern era.

There have been countless friendlies and a Nations League semi-final between both nations.

But you would have to go back to the late 80’s and mid 90’s for the significant battles in major competitions.

It was a time when Ronald Koeman and his brother Erwin were instrumental in terrorising England.

15th June 1988, Düsseldorf, Euro 88

England and the Netherlands met in their second group game at Euro 88. Both teams needed to win after losing their opening games to Republic of Ireland and the Soviet Union.

Ronald and Ernie Koeman lined up for the Netherlands alongside great names like Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.

However, this game is best remembered for Marco Van Basten's hat trick. He systematically destroyed England to give the Dutch a 3-1 victory.

The win was the Oranje’s first on route to winning their only major tournament.

In the final, Van Basten scored one of the greatest goals in European Championship history in a 2-1 win over the Soviet Union.

16th June 1990, Cagliari – World Cup Italia 90

Bobby Robson's England had a chance for revenge against the Dutch at Italia 90. It was the second game in a group that included Ireland and Egypt.

England had several chances. Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne and Bryan Robson really should have scored in an improved performance from Euro 88.

However, it wasn't to be.

The game ended in an unspectacular 0-0 draw. England won the group, and the Dutch went through as one of the best third place teams.

Both teams were beaten in the knockout stages by arch-rivals West Germany. The Dutch lost 2-1 in the last 16 before England were beaten on penalties in the semi-final.

West Germany went on to win the World Cup.

13th October 1993, Rotterdam – USA 94 World Cup Qualifier

The Dutch needed to beat England to have any hope of qualifying for USA 94. England could afford a draw knowing that that their last match was against San Marino.

It was the game that the Koeman brothers became hated in England.

Ronald should have been sent off for a professional foul on David Platt before putting the Dutch 1-0 up with an exquisite free kick.

If this game was played in the modern era, then Erwin also would have been sent off after a horrific challenge on Paul Parker.

However, the referee chose not to. Much to the disgust of England manager Graham Taylor.

A young Denis Bergkamp added a second before the end of the match.

England had failed to qualify for the World Cup and Graham Taylor was unceremoniously sacked from the job.

18th June 1996, Wembley – Euro 96

England appointed Terry Venables in preparation for their first home tournament since 1966.

England's campaign started slowly with a 1-1 draw with Switzerland but had exploded into life after a 2-0 win over Scotland.
It continued at Wembley where England finally got the better of the Dutch in a major competition.

Alan Shearer's 23rd minute penalty gave England the lead.

In the second half, Teddy Sheringham's header made it 2-0 and began an English blitz that saw them score three goals in ten minutes.

Paul Gascoigne terrorised the Dutch in the build up to Shearer's second of the game.

He then combined with Sheringham, who laid the ball off to Shearer. He smashed it into the top corner to make it 3-0.

5 minutes later Sheringham tapped in England's fourth after Edwin Van der Sar failed to keep hold of a long-range shot.

Patrick Kluivert got a consolation goal for the Dutch. It was enough for them to get through to the knockout stages on goal difference.

England had won the group and finally had a sense of revenge after failing to qualify for USA 94 at the hands of the Dutch.

10th June, Dortmund – Euro 2024

The Koemans will look to destroy English hopes again on Wednesday. This time from the bench.

Ronald returned for his second stint as Dutch manager after Qatar 2022. Erwin became his assistant.

The Netherlands came to Euro 2024 on good form. They finished second to France in qualifying having lost both of their games to them.

However, the Dutch recovered well from these defeats by beating every other team in the group including nail biting away wins in Greece and Ireland.

If there is a criticism of the Dutch, it is their inability to beat the larger nations.

So often in major tournaments they perform superbly in the group stages only to be beaten in the knockout stages by the first quality team they play against.

That has changed at this tournament. They beat Poland and drew with France before losing an entertaining game with Austria in Group D.

It was enough to finish as one of the best third placed teams to advance to the knockout rounds.

By the time the last 16 came the Dutch were battle-hardened. They comfortably beat Romania 3-0 before having to suffer in their 2-1 quarter final win against Türkiye.

Despite being criticised by the Dutch press, Koeman’s Netherlands have been more creative than England.

They scored nine goals at Euro 2024 and at the time of writing Cody Gakpo is the tournament’s top goalscorer.

The Oranje have conceded five goals at Euro 2024. England have the individual talent to breach their defence but will need to improve their performance if they are to get the better of Ronald Koeman’s team.

However, Gareth Southgate’s squad have already shown that they have little regard for history or the failures of the past.

These players hadn’t even been born when the Koemans were a consistent thorn for England.

Those traumas are for an older generation, and one that hopes that their demons can be exorcised once more.