The route to the last four of Euro 2024 has been a rocky one for the Netherlands and England, and a few flashes of their best quality in their semi-final showdown might be enough for either side to book a final meeting with Spain.
England's shootout win over Switzerland brought momentary euphoria, but it was more relief than redemption and Wednesday's date with the Dutch in Dortmund may require a transformation in attack for them to reach a third major tournament final, against France or Spain.
England have limped into the last four with tepid performances against opponents they should on paper have beaten easily, while the Netherlands have yo-yoed through and were 20 minutes from elimination before their quarter-final fightback against Turkey.
The Dutch dazzled in their last-eight rout of Romania but have had to scramble too, having fallen behind in three of their four scoring games. Their three wins were all in regulation time, however, compared to one for England, and the Dutch have scored nearly double their number of goals at the tournament.
The Netherlands have the edge in attack, their nine goals at Euro 2024 coming from 20 attempts on target against 15 by an England side spearheaded by the usually lethal but currently subdued Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham.
England improved against the Swiss but their five expertly struck penalties rescued an attack that again looked frustrated, with Bukayo Saka's 80th-minute equaliser their first shot on target.
Netherlands do not have that problem and will bank on the tournament's joint top scorer Cody Gakpo to trouble an England defence that has been solid, in contrast to their jaded attack.
England manager Gareth Southgate declined to discuss the Dutch after his side's win over Switzerland, keeping media attention squarely on his players' resilience in handling the intensity of penalties.
England's troubles in front of goal were during matches he said were not normal, against crowded defences determined to stop them.
Southgate is again expected to stick to a similar line-up having been impervious to calls to shake things up or make substitutions earlier during the tournament.
"This is now the chance to make history, which we've enjoyed doing," said Southgate ahead of his side's date with the Dutch.
"That chance to get to the first final not held in England. First time England will have ever done that. So, we're trying to break new ground. That's difficult and it's complicated. But the players have responded brilliantly and the resilience that's been built.
"You know, you can bond - we've been very fortunate, we had Ed Sheeran in to sing and it was great, players had a couple of beers before the last game. You can bond in that way but when you're having to hit the ball out your box in the 92nd minute and you're having to find a goal in the 96th minute. There's nothing stronger than that for building the spirit of a team."
The Dutch have blown hot and cold and will need to be stronger at the back to stand any chance of reaching their first final since their 1988 Euros triumph, their only major tournament success.
Austria and Turkey exploited Dutch defensive disorganisation at set-pieces and England will try to do the same.
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has also received criticism, hitting back at pundits who questioned his team's commitment and saying his players showed a big heart in coming from behind to beat Turkey.
"We are a small nation, and we are part of the semi-final with England, France and Spain," said the ex-Everton boss.
"And we are really proud to get the opportunity to play the semi-final Wednesday. We had to suffer tonight. But that's in the whole Euros that there is not an easy one. They put everything tonight and it was really an emotional match and we had a big heart."
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