David Marshall's Euro Diary - England and Netherlands Survive (Patreon)

And then there were fewer! We are now down to four and only three games left to determine who will be the champions of Europe. Will it be coming home, maison, hogar or thuis? My money is still on hogar, that’s what Google Translate is telling me anyway.

England vs Switzerland kicked off the day and see every other game I’ve talked about England so far to get my thoughts on this game. What really puzzled me was when the teams came off for halftime the BBC punditry was absolutely moist over the England performance.

“Much improved, Dominating, the goal is coming!” Were Gary Linekar and Co. watching a different game from me? What I will say is that the England press was certainly more intense but I don’t know if it was any more effective. Switzerland created virtually nothing but England also created nothing and I expect England to take the game to Switzerland not the other way around. So “they never laid a glove on us” in a 0-0 game where neither team have created anything isn’t a plus point for England.

Into the second half, Switzerland grew into the game and were the better team. It looked, briefly, that Switzerland were going to take the tie. A Dan Ndoye low drive across the box was deflected into the path of Breel Embolo who tapped home at the back post.

England did respond however and they were only behind for a matter of minutes. Bukayo Saka produced a wonder strike from 20 yards to rescue England and take the game to extra time. Once again England had to rely on one of their big players just doing something and it seemed throughout the match that if it was going to be anyone it would be Saka.

Extra time saw Switzerland look like the most likely team to grab the winner as they passed up on a few opportunities to secure a semi-final place, England looked pretty dead on their feet.

England would do the business in the shootout and credit where it’s due their penalties were all absolutely top-class. Could this finally be the catalysis for England? Possibly but I don’t really think so, listening to the England players and coaching staff talk after the game there seems to be an acceptance that this is just how they play now.

What I would say is a real worry for England is that they have now played an extra hour of football against two teams that they should be beating in 90 minutes. There’s every chance that England may indeed shit their way to the title but I’m not sure if they have another 90 minutes, or 120, in them.

The Netherlands and Turkey rounded off the quarter-final stage and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one having chats in my various group chats of an unlikely tournament winner during this first half.

The Turks were very good in the first half and deservedly took the lead in the 35th minute. A delightful cross into the back post that totally took the goalie out of contention by Arda Güler was headed home by Samet Akaydin.

A goal up at the break then, could Turkey keep it going? Not really is the answer to that but that’s not to say they didn’t have their chances. Guler hit the post from a free kick and Wout Weghorst. had to pull off a spectacular clearance on his back to deny Kaan Ayhan tapping the ball into an empty net to double Turkey’s lead.

Weghorst’s introduction in the second half got The Netherlands going and they would be level with 20 minutes to go. Stefan de Vrij got on the end of a Memphis Depay header and Turkey will be really disappointed with their complete lack of defending here.

Six minutes later, the Dutch would find the winner. Mert Müldür put the ball into his own net with Cody Gpako applying pressure at his back. Turkey got through the Last 16 thanks to a fantastic late save but they were to be on the other end this time as Kerem Akturkoglu was denied by Bart Verbruggen.

The Dutch team fell to their knees at the final whistle as they progressed to the semi-finals. Turkey go out but I think we can say they take the title as dark horses home with them.

Our semi-final line-up then is Spain vs France and England vs The Netherlands. The absolute nightmare is a France vs England final which, to use an old cliche here, might actually get football stopped. Thankfully, I think Spain will take care of France quite easily.

The other game, however, I can’t call. If both teams are at their optimum I think England win this relatively easily. But we know England are not at their optimum and are now looking absolutely shattered. So logic would dictate that this would lead to a Netherlands victory then? I can’t confidently predict that either. I’ve watched every minute of the Dutch and I couldn’t tell you if they are a good or bad team, neither description feels right for them.

Well come back on Wednesday night and discuss it from there. My bold prediction is the Final will be Spain vs an other. Or maybe France. Who knows? Not me.