Featured Image Credit: Getty & UEFA
Topics: Euro 2024, England, Netherlands, Harry Kane, Virgil Van Dijk, Premier League, Football
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Euro 2024, England, Netherlands, Harry Kane, Virgil Van Dijk, Premier League, Football
All eyes will be on the battle between Harry Kane and Virgil van Dijk when England take on the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
England face the Dutch in Dortmund on Wednesday night in a mouth-watering semi-final.
Gareth Southgate's side booked their place in the last four by beating Switzerland on penalties on Saturday, shortly before the Netherlands beat Turkey 2-1 in their quarter-final.
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The two sides will now meet at Signal Iduna Park, with the winner facing either Spain or France in Sunday's final in Berlin.
Club teammates and rivals will come up against each other, with several Premier League stars in the Netherlands ranks.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk is expected to lead his nation, while England captain Harry Kane is likely to keep his place in the side despite his disappointing form so far in Germany.
The two players have come against each other on numerous occasions in club football, most notably in the 2019 Champions League final – when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-0 in Madrid.
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But speaking in 2022 to celebrate 10 years since making his Premier League debut, Kane snubbed Van Dijk when asked to name his toughest opponents.
Instead, he named Chelsea icon John Terry and legendary Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Kane came up against Terry in the Premier League during the early years of his professional career, while Chiellini was part of the Italian side that beat England in the final of Euro 2020.
"There are a few who have been the toughest I have faced in my career," said Kane.
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"Early on facing John Terry, [he was] just a really smart defender, knew where to put his body, knew how to stop my runs, so that was a great learning curve."
Kane added: "And then Chiellini, I obviously played against him against Italy and against Juventus.
"Again, really smart, strong, and physical."
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Van Dijk is expecting a tough match against England despite the Three Lions' struggles in Germany so far this summer.
Speaking after his side's win over Turkey, Van Dijk said: "We did everything we could, with tackles and saves. Now it's time to recover and prepare for another tough match.
"We can get to work. We all want to make our dream come true. We are one step closer."