Day 19 of EURO 2024 just served up a feast of footie that’d make your grandma’s Sunday roast look like fast food. Let’s dive into the juicy bits, shall we?
First up, the Dutch finally decided to show up to their own party! After sleepwalking through the group stage like they’d hit the Amsterdam coffee shops a bit too hard, they woke up and smacked Romania 3-0. Talk about a glow-up!
Cody Gakpo? More like Cody Goal-kpo! This lad was hotter than a freshly baked stroopwafel, bagging a goal and an assist. He’s now the tournament’s top scorer, and at this rate, he might just take home the Golden Boot and a year’s supply of Gouda!
But let’s not forget the Dutch midfield. Those guys were buzzing around like they’d mainlined Red Bull, with Tijjani Reijnders running so much he might’ve left skid marks on the pitch. Looks like Ronald Koeman finally found his best XI after more tinkering than a mechanic with OCD.
Now, onto Turkey vs Austria. Folks, we’ve got ourselves an unlikely hero, and his name is Merih Demiral. This guy turned into a one-man wrecking crew, scoring twice from corners and defending like his life depended on it. He looked more surprised than a vegetarian at a BBQ when his teammates mobbed him!
Turkey pulled off their best performance yet, sinking Austria’s battleship and dreams of being the dark horse. Poor Marko Arnautovic was about as effective as a chocolate teapot, marked tighter than skinny jeans on a humid day.
Austria can feel hard done by, with their expected goals higher than a cat on catnip. But football’s not played on paper, folks, and Turkey’s keeper, Mert Gunok, pulled off a save so good it should be hanging in the Louvre.
So, what’s next? Turkey’s facing the Netherlands in the quarters, and they’ll need to channel their inner brick wall if they want to make their first semi since 2008. As for the Dutch, if they keep playing like this, they might just go all the way. Either way, it’s gonna be spicier than a kebab with extra chilli sauce!
Stay tuned, football fans. This EURO 2024 is heating up faster than a car bonnet in a July heatwave!
