The hosts secured a place in the last four stage courtesy of finishing on top of Group 4, having collected more points (16) than any other team in League A.
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A spot in the final of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League is up for grabs when Netherlands host Croatia at De Kuip in Wednesday’s semi-final. The hosts secured a place in the last four stage courtesy of finishing on top of League A Group 4, having collected 16 points from six games, six points more than second-placed Belgium. The Checkered Ones, meanwhile, won Group 1 with 13 points to their name, just a solitary point above Denmark. Meanwhile, the last time these two sides were in action was back in March in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, with the Dutch thrashing Gibraltar 3-0, while the visitors defeated Turkey 2-0.
It’s time. #NationsLeague 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋! 🔥#NothingLikeOranje #NEDCRO pic.twitter.com/10BjYzGorx
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 14, 2023
Netherlands had an impressive Nations League group stage campaign recording five wins a draw from six outings to pocket 16 points. No team in League A amassed more points than the Dutch. However, Oranje couldn’t repeat the same kind of performance in the World Cup in Qatar, losing out to eventual champions Argentina in the quarter-final stage. Louis Van Gaal’s side produced a stunning fight back to score two late goals and make the score 2-2 at Lusail Stadium and force the game into penalties, but goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s heroics in front of goal helped Albiceleste to progress to the last four. After the World Cup disappointment, Netherlands suffered yet another debacle on their return to action in March, losing 4-0 to France in the Euro qualifiers. However, Ronald Koeman’s men got back to winning ways by putting three goals past minnows Gibraltar on March 28 thanks to Memphis Depay’s 23rd-minute opener and Nathan Ake’s second-half brace.
Croatia, on the other hand, recorded four wins, one draw and a defeat from six games to secure top spot in Group 1. After taking just one point from their opening two Nations League games, the Checkered Ones registered four successive wins to finish ahead of France and Denmark in the table. Zlatko Dalic’s men carried the form into the World Cup, securing bronze medal courtesy of defeating Morocco 2-1 in the third-place playoff. Vatreni returned to action in March, recording a 1-1 draw against Wales and defeating Turkey 2-0 in the Euro qualifiers. Croatia got the better of Turkey at Timsah Arena last time out thanks to Mateo Kovacic’s first-half brace. With seven wins coming from their last ten games across all competitions, Dalic’s men are in pretty good form and will be confident about their chances of booking a place in the showdown against either Spain or Italy on June 18.
Probable Lineups
Netherlands probable starting lineup: Bijlow, Dumfries, Van Dijk, Botman, Ake, De Roon, De Jong, Wijnaldum, Bergwijn, Gakpo, Simons
Croatia probable starting lineup: Livakovic, Juranovic, Sutalo, Erlic, Sosa, Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric, Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic
Netherlands
| Opponents | Score |
| Gibraltar | 3-0 (W) |
| France | 4-0 (L) |
| Argentina | 2(3)-(4)2 (L) |
| USA | 3-1 (W) |
| Qatar | 2-0 (W) |
Croatia
| Opponents | Score |
| Turkey | 0-2 (W) |
| Wales | 1-1 (D) |
| Morocco | 2-1 (W) |
| Argentina | 3-0 (L) |
| Brazil | 2-1 (W) |
| Last 2 match-results | Score |
| Netherlands beat Croatia | 0-3 |
| Croatia beat Netherlands | 1-2 |
The Nations League semi-final match between Netherlands and Croatia will take place at De Kuip on Thursday at 12:15 am IST.
| Netherlands vs Croatia | Key Details |
| Date | June 14 (Netherlands) |
| Venue | De Kuip |
| Kickoff time in Netherlands | 8:45 pm (Wednesday) |
| Kickoff time in Croatia | 8:45 pm (Wednesday) |
The live telecast of the Nations League matches in India will be available on Sony Sports network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Jio TV. Meanwhile those in Netherlands watch the match on ESPN network, while football fans in Croatia can catch the live action via NPO 1 and Zippo Sport network and Sportklub 1 Croatia.
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