Nations League 2019 LIVE: England vs Netherlands semi-final latest news, build-up, score and goal updates
Follow LIVE updates as England attempt to reach the inaugural Nations League final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England take on the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League tonight, with the Three Lions in touching distance of a first piece of competitive silverware since 1966.
After a slow start to their qualifying campaign, Gareth Southgate’s men sealed their place in the finals of the inaugural competition after beating Spain 3-2 away from home before securing a 2-1 comeback win over Croatia.
Standing in between England and a place in the final is a newly rejuvenated Netherlands team that, after failing to make the 2018 World Cup, has rediscovered its form and menace. Follow live coverage of the match below.
Match preview:
When is it?
England vs Netherlands kicks off at 7.45pm on Thursday 6 June. The match is being staged at the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques in Guimaraes, Portugal.
How can I watch it?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. Coverage starts at 7pm.
Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to stream the match via the SkyGo app.
Predicted line-ups
England (4-2-1-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Barkley; Lingard; Sancho, Sterling, Rashford.
Netherlands (4-3-3): Cillessen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, De Ligt, Blind; De Jong, Van de Beek, De Roon; Bergwijn, Babel, Depay.
Tonight marks Gareth Southgate’s 34th game in charge of England and his 10th starting XI with an average age of under 25.
The previous 17 managers to take charge of England did this just 10 times in 595 matches combined.
Gareth Southgate speaks to the media before the match:
"Well we were always of a mind that [the Champions League Final] was going to be a hugely intense occasion, the physical efforts of the game and the emotion of it, and I think given the way the game played out, we felt that we had a really good group working with us for a couple of weeks and they've had more opportunity to focus on this game, and it gives us some real strength to come form the bench.
"With the young ones, we've done that throughout this competition. Gomez had one of his first games in Madrid, Harry Winks the same, Ben Chilwell the same so we want to keep developing young players. We're building for next year as well as wanting to win this. With Delphy he's a fantastic character, without Henderson's leadership in mid-field he's a similar sort of profile of player and I think that gives us a good balance to the team.
"I worked with [Sterling] in the under-21s and he wouldn't have been an obvious candidate for [the captaincy] but his growing maturity and confidence mean that it's a really well deserved honour and he's a hugley popular player with the rest of the team."
Netherlands’ Memphis Depay has played a part in 21 goals in his last 20 games in all competitions for the Dutch national side scoring 13 goals and making 8 assists.
He's certainly come a long way since his Manchester United days and is one to watch tonight.
The players make their way out onto the pitch, the rain comes down which should make England feel at home, the atmosphere is cracking, the flags are waving and we're about to get underway.
"God save our Queen" rings out in full voice, the England fans outnumber those from Holland by a long way.
Then comes the national anthem of the Netherlands, "The Wilhelmus".
Netherlands 0 - 0 England
Kick Off: England start the match hitting the ball long trying to find Sterling but losing the ball. van Dijk sends a long ball forward that Maguire passes to Pickford who hits it out of play.
Netherlands 0 - 0 England
3 mins: Barkley sends Sancho free on the left, Sancho works it into the box and chips it into the middle to find Sterling but wins a corner. The corner comes in and Maguire hits it over the bar.
Netherlands 0 - 0 England
6 mins: Chilwell tries to send Sancho forward again but Dumfries intercepts, he take the ball into the middle of the park but England win it back off him. Ross Barkley tries to switch the play and leaves Walker in trouble, Netherlands claim it and Depay turns on the edge of the box and has a shot blocked!
Netherlands 0 - 0 England
9 mins: Maguire gives the ball away and Bergwijn runs it at the defence, he switches the ball to his left foot and shoots forcing Pickford into a low save.
Kyle Walker makes a great interception and England can break but Walker's pass to Rashford is poor and it comes to nothing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments