Summary

  • Build-up: Latest England news before semi-final vs Netherlands (20:00 BST)

  • WATCH: Highlights of England's 4-1 win over Netherlands from Euro '96

  • Manager Gareth Southgate admits "expectation" and "noise" had inhibited England in early stages of Euro 2024.

  • Reaction: Spain beat France 2-1 to reach Euro 2024 final on Sunday

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Re-wind: Join us for a stream of England 4-1 Netherlands from 14:00 BSTpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 10 July

    UK only

    Talking about THAT night. For the England fans among you, here's a Wednesday afternoon treat.

    Tonight's semi-final between England and Netherlands will be the first meeting in a Euros or World Cup since England's 4-1 win in the group stage of Euro 96.

    So we've decided to re-run the entire match as a stream for you to watch at the top of this page, from 14:00 BST today.

    Maybe a later lunch break today to follow along?

    Watch the highlights below...

    Media caption,

    Archive: England v Netherlands - Euro 1996

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:16 British Summer Time 10 July

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I was seven during the summer of 1996. On the evening of THAT England vs Netherlands match my brother fell and split his head open, so I had to watch the Shearer and Sheringham goals fly-in on an A&E waiting room TV.

    Andrew

    Nightmare, it was actually my 21st birthday so I am guessing I had a better night. Craig

  3. Dutch hold the upper hand - pick of the statspublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    • This is the fourth meeting between England and the Netherlands at a major tournament; the Oranje won 3-1 at Euro 1988 (thanks to a Marco van Basten hat-trick), followed by a goalless draw at the 1990 World Cup, and a 4-1 win for England at Euro 96.
    • England have won just one of their last nine meetings with Netherlands in all competitions (D4 L4), winning a friendly match 1-0 in Amsterdam in March 2018.
    • Of all nations England have faced 20+ times in their history, only against Brazil (15%) do they have a lower win rate than they do against Netherlands (27% - W6 D9 L7).

    Netherlands players celebrate after scoring against Turkey in the quarter-finalsImage source, Getty Images
  4. 'Konsa was excellent, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Guehi recalled'published at 11:09 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Matthew Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I thought Ezri Konsa was excellent. We've had a brilliant show of centre-back play from two centre-halves in Marc Guehi and Konsa, who are relatively new into this scene and they have been a major plus point of this tournament in a position that probably everyone looked as being options that were not too great.

    It's shown that it is a very strong position now and Guehi did enough in those early games and he played well enough under a lot of pressure because the team was under a lot of pressure in the first couple of matches with how things were going and how we're playing.

    I wouldn't be surprised to see him back in this evening.

    Marc Guehi of England looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.Image source, Getty Images
  5. Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Matt Upson agrees with Izzy Christiansen about Marc Guehi replacing Ezri Konsa in the starting line-up...

  6. 'I would start Konsa, but I think Southgate will go with Guehi'published at 10:59 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I thought it was quite difficult to actually figure out what England’s formation actually was [against Switzerland]. I'm meant to be an expert.

    In our 5 Live build-up, we spoke a lot about a back three, but actually, it looked more like a back four, but Kieran Trippier, who we all know is one of Gareth Southgate's most-trusted players, was playing a really high full-back role.

    I do think it will be the same formation. I think we won't see any changes apart from Marc Guehi maybe coming back in because of how brilliant he was through the start of the tournament and the group stages.

    It will be a difficult decision for him to make. I'm big on rhythm and I actually would say that I would play [Ezri] Konsa based on rhythm and the feeling of playing in that last game against Switzerland, but I think Guehi will come in and that will be the only change.

    I'd love to see Luke Shaw out there, but I think the impact he can have off the bench is like an insurance policy for Gareth Southgate.

    Marc Guehi (L) fights for the ball with England's defender #14 Ezri Konsa as they attend a training session during the UEFA Euro 2024 European Football Championship, at the team's base camp in Blankenhain, Thuringia, on June 22, 2024.Image source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 10:54 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    If Gareth Southgate does lead the Three Lions past the Netherlands tonight then his side will become the first to reach the final of a major tournament outside of England.

    Former England players Matt Upson and Izzy Christiansen, on BBC Radio 5 Live earlier, assessed the choices facing Southgate before tonight's Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund...

  8. get involved

    'Southgate has taken England beyond the norm'published at 10:48 British Summer Time 10 July

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    With the players available in the noughties and beyond, it's shocking that for so many years England couldn't get past the quarter finals of any tournament, before Gareth Southgate. The slightly mismanaged penalty shootout of the Euro 2020 final and Harry Kane's penalty miss at the 2022 World Cup are really the only blots on the landscape and Southgate's legacy should not be judged by those fine margins. For me, he's not the 'nearly man who never quite won anything', he is the man who made semi-finals and took us beyond the norm for England football and has laid the path for the right manager (please let it be someone who has actually played football at that level). For your legacy, Gareth, you deserve to win tonight but whatever happens you have given this country more success in international tournaments than most of the other managers put together.

    Martin

  9. We're backing them all the way' - Russopublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    England's Euro 2022 winner Alessia Russo was speaking before the Lionesses own Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday against Republic of Ireland.

    "We're backing them [England men] all the way, just like they would have done with us. We'll be watching and cheering them on.

    "They are all experienced players and know what it takes to win, the standards.

    "For us in the Euros our bond as a team made us greater on the pitch.

    "I know they're doing everything they can to win the tournament. It was the biggest highlight of my career."

    Media caption,

    'No greater feeling' - Russo on winning Euros with England

  10. Postpublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    If last night was a good one for Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, could tonight match it for England and Gareth Southgate?

    Well the Lionesses' Euro 2022 winner Alessia Russo certainly hopes so...

  11. Two legends...one great nightpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 10 July

    That is an amazing image of a then young Barcelona forward Lionel Messi with baby Lamine Yamal in his arms.

    It turns out that, fast forward 17 years, both would go on to enjoy a pretty decent night.

    While 16-year-old Yamal was coming of age with a strike like this to down France in the Euro 2024 semi-finals...

    Media caption,

    All the angles of Yamal's 'unbelievable goal'

    ...a now 37-year-old Messi was scoring in a 2-0 win for Argentina over Canada to lead his country to the Copa America final.

    Click here to read the full report.

    Lionel MessiImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'Beginning of two legends' - photos resurface of Messi and baby Yamalpublished at 10:26 British Summer Time 10 July

    Spain 2-1 France

    Lamine Yamal as a baby with Lionel Messi in 2007Image source, Joan Monfort/AP

    In 2007, a young Lionel Messi posed for photos with a baby in the dressing room of the Camp Nou in Barcelona for a charity calendar photoshoot.

    Messi, who was 20, was already making a name for himself and would go on the become arguably the greatest of all time.

    But little did the photographer know that the baby would also make waves in international football less than 17 years later.

    Messi was bathing Lamine Yamal - the 16-year-old who is taking the European Championships by storm.

    His goal against France in the semi-final on Tuesday is one that will be talked about for decades.

    At 16 years and 362 days, the strike also made him the youngest man to score in the tournament's history.

    The long-forgotten photo of Messi and Yamal resurfaced after Yamal’s father posted it on Instagram last week with the text: “The beginning of two legends.”

    Read the full story here.

  13. A worry for Morata and Spainpublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 10 July

    Spain 2-1 France

    Right, the day started with reaction to Spain's win in Tuesday night's first semi-final.

    There was a worry at full-time for Spain striker Alvaro Morata following their victory over France in Munich.

    Among the full-time celebrations, a photographer seemed to lose his footing and crash into Morata, leading to him gingerly moving off the field at full-time.

    You can watch the incident below by clicking on the play icon:

    Media caption,

    Morata slipped into at full-time

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 10 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Don't forget, you can also send us your thoughts about tonight's semi-final via text, WhatsApp or X using the contact details above:

    • Who do you want to see start in the England team?
    • How are you feeling? Nervous? Excited?
    • What is your big-match prediction?
    • What are your plans for watching the game?

    Just remember to include your name on any messages.

    Thanks...

  15. Postpublished at 10:12 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Nicky Campbell's 5 Live Phone-in has moved on from the football now, but what a lively debate it was.

    We will feature some of the best comments from fans throughout the morning as we nudge closer to kick-off.

    Anyone getting excited yet? Thumbs up for yes, down for no...

  16. 'Southgate has restored confidence, pride and dignity back into England job'published at 10:08 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    England fan John told Nicky Campbell's 5 Live Phone-in that he backs Gareth Southgate:

    "The amount of disregard directed towards Southgate is bad. From the outset, he’s had a very good idea of the football he wants to play. We can all say with reasonable accuracy the style Spain will play in the final. I think Gareth is keeping his cards close and fair play to him.

    "We have some of the best players in the world and come the day a lot of people will have their words rammed down their throats.

    "Southgate has restored the confidence, pride and dignity back into the England job.

    "I think it would be silly to dismiss the Dutch, we have a game on. Make no error we are going to have to play to win.

    "Play a little more to our strengths. The Dutch are a bit more physical than we are. They are beatable and I think we can beat them. I feel the same about Spain as well. A bit of steel, a bit of focus and I have confidence we are going to get to the final. If crunch comes to push we can beat Spain as well."

    Gareth Southgate in DortmundImage source, PA Media
  17. 'I'm getting better and sharper as the games go along'published at 09:59 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    England

    England captain Harry Kane believes he has improved and become sharper throughout Euro 2024 and has questioned the criticism he has faced throughout the tournament over his fitness

    "Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, I know everyone wants me to score three goals a game and I want to score three goals a game, but it's not always the case," said Kane in Tuesday's news conference.

    "Maybe sometimes when I don't score I think the fitness one is an easy one just to throw in - 'Why? Is there a reason? Is it his fitness? Is it not?'.

    "But like I said before the tournament, I felt like I had a good preparation going into it, I'm getting better and sharper as the games go along.

    "We have a semi-final ahead of us and of course I'd love nothing more than to score a couple of goals and get through to the final."

    Harry KaneImage source, Getty Images
  18. 'Courage will be rewarded'published at 09:55 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Netherlands fan Patrick, who now lives in Manchester, told Nicky Campbell's 5 Live Phone-in that he expected an "equal game" in tonight's semi-final against England:

    "We may as well not play, apparently England have already won! It's going to be an equal game. Courage will be rewarded. The Dutch are more adventurous, but it will be close.

    "I think the Dutch have a real patience that prior teams didn’t have. This team has a survival attitude which I haven’t seen in the past, which will take us through to the final."

  19. Tough choices for Dortmund localspublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    It has just occurred to us that the locals in Dortmund who have tickets to tonight's semi-final between England and the Netherlands might be somewhat conflicted.

    Do Borussia Dortmund fans cheer for national rivals Holland or England and their captain Harry Kane - the leading striker of 'Der Klassiker' rivals Bayern Munich?

    Harry Kane and Gareth Southgate at Dortmund StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'It seems to be getting better, but at this stage do we care?'published at 09:44 British Summer Time 10 July

    Netherlands v England (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Michelle from Middlesbrough told Nicky Campbell's 5 Live phone-in that she went to the last two England games and gave her prediction for tonight's semi-final against the Netherlands:

    "We’ve got to be positive. My prediction is 2-1 to England. It's not been easy watching, has it?

    "I've just myself got back from Germany. I went to the last two games. Even though the group stages it wasn’t pretty. It seems to be getting better, but I think, at this stage, do we care?

    "Yes, it would be great to play well and win, but the most important thing is the result and how we do that."