Van
Dijk
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Virgil
van
Dijk
is
brimming
with
optimism
as
the
Netherlands
prepare
for
their
semi-final
showdown
against
England
in
the
2024
UEFA
European
Championship.
The
Liverpool
defender
is
highly
motivated
following
his
team’s
dramatic
come-from-behind
victory
against
Turkey
on
July
6.
The
32-year-old
van
Dijk
is
hopeful
of
realising
the
dream
of
lifting
the
Henri
Delaunay
trophy
on
July
14
and
believes
his
team
can
overcome
England
on
their
path
to
glory.
“We
want
to
make
our
dream
come
true.
We
are
a
step
closer,”
van
Dijk
told
the
media
after
the
Turkey
game,
as
cited
by
The
EuropeanLad.
The
Netherlands,
champions
in
1988,
secured
the
final
semi-final
spot
despite
initially
trailing.
Fenerbahce
centre-back
Samet
Akaydin
nodded
home
from
close
range
after
connecting
with
Arda
Guler’s
precise
cross,
putting
Turkey
ahead.
Ronald
Koeman’s
men
managed
to
turn
the
game
around
in
the
second
half.
Defender
Stefan
de
Vrij
equalized
in
the
70th
minute,
followed
by
an
own
goal
from
Mert
Muldur
in
the
76th
minute,
securing
their
2-1
win.
The
Three
Lions
also
staged
a
dramatic
fightback,
winning
against
Switzerland
in
a
penalty
shootout
to
progress
earlier
in
the
day
after
playing
out
a
1-1
draw
after
extra
time.
England
manager
Gareth
Southgate
said
he
deserved
to
celebrate
reaching
the
Euro
2024
semis
despite
criticism
for
negative
tactics.
Southgate’s
team
has
won
only
one
of
their
five
matches
in
90
minutes,
but
he
believes
they
are
displaying
the
qualities
needed
to
become
champions
for
the
first
time.
As
both
teams
gear
up
for
this
highly
anticipated
semi-final
clash,
the
stage
is
set
for
an
exciting
battle
to
secure
a
place
in
the
final.