Ollie Watkins struck a stunning injury-time winner as England beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday to set up a Euro 2024 final showdown with Spain in Berlin.
It was an incredible finish to an evening that began badly for England, as Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in the semi-final in Dortmund.
However, England were soon level through a Harry Kane penalty following a contentious VAR call by German referee Felix Zwayer, and the match looked set to drift towards extra time until Watkins struck.
On for Kane, Watkins received a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer with his back to goal in the first minute of stoppage time, turned and fired low into the far corner to leave the Netherlands bewildered.
"I'm lost for words really," said Watkins, the Aston Villa striker. "I don't think I've hit a ball that sweet before, and obviously in such a special moment."
It has rarely been a convincing campaign from Gareth Southgate's England side, but they are through to their second consecutive European Championship final as they dream of finally winning a first major trophy since 1966.
To do that they will surely have to perform better than at any point so far in Germany as they face an outstanding Spain team.
Spain will also have had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the final, having defeated France 2-1 on Tuesday.
The Netherlands had been hoping to repeat their triumph at the last Euros held in Germany, in 1988, but their current side lacks anyone with the star quality of Marco van Basten or Ruud Gullit.
A victory for them would have seen this Euros conclude with the same final as the 2010 World Cup. Instead they now go home.
England had got to this stage despite not winning any of their last four matches in 90 minutes, and having been taken to extra time by Slovakia and Switzerland.
That might have given the Dutch an edge physically, after the Oranje shrugged off finishing third in their group to brush aside Romania and see off Turkey.
England welcomed back Marc Guehi in defence after suspension, while Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman opted to start Donyell Malen in attack on the ground where he plays club football for Borussia Dortmund.
The Westfalenstadion is a special place for the Dutch, as the scene of their 2-0 win over Brazil, with goals by Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff, that took them through to the 1974 World Cup final.
They went ahead here after just seven minutes thanks to a brilliant effort by Simons, who robbed Declan Rice 35 meters from goal and advanced before sending a rasping drive beyond Jordan Pickford.
The Dutch players ran off to celebrate with their fans behind that goal, as England found themselves trailing for the third game running.
Just like against the Swiss in the quarter-finals, however, they reacted swiftly.
Kane forced a save from Bart Verbruggen and moments later sent a volley over the bar, and was caught by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through.
It seemed totally innocuous but Zwayer was summoned across to review the images and gave a penalty.
Kane, whose missed spot-kick against France cost England dear in the 2022 World Cup, made no mistake, slotting low into the bottom-left corner.
It settled into an open and entertaining game, with Dumfries redeeming himself by clearing off the line from Phil Foden.
Dumfries crashed a header off the bar from a Simons corner, but Foden responded by curling a superb shot from range off the post.
England's midfielders were being given too much time on the ball, and Koeman used an injury to Memphis Depay to reinforce the centre, replacing the forward with Joey Veerman.
Another change followed at the interval, with Wout Weghorst –- super-sub in previous rounds –- replacing Malen.
Yet the game became more cagey as the minutes went on and the fear of making a mistake grew.
Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk on 65 minutes and the Netherlands began to take control as England's leading players started to tire.
England did have the ball in the net on 79 minutes when Bukayo Saka turned in a Kyle Walker cutback, but the latter was just offside and the flag cut short the celebrations.
Southgate then decided to remove Kane and Foden, with Watkins and Palmer entering the fray to devastating effect.
© 2024 AFP
15 Comments
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Moonraker
Even to lose in the final against an excellent Spain side would still be a very good achievement and beyond expectation after the Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia games.
Fighto!
Hats off to Southgate, he showed his experience, nous and championship qualities by putting Watkins on who scored the winner. Captain Kane was colossal as always. The Three Lions deservedly go through to the decider - they have been ticking along nicely all tournament, improving all the time - in spite of hysterical and ignorant criticism from their own fans.
Can la Roja handle these ravenous young Lions, hungry for their first silverware since '66? Both teams go in even in my mind - should be a scintillating finale!
Japantime
It looks like this coach will go down in history as one of the greatest ever. A lot of supporters are going to be very embarrassed after the way they spoke about him. I guess they are only supporters after all and know nothing about managing a team.
itsonlyrocknroll
All hail Ollie Watkins 90 minute stunner
Forgive me, was Harry Kane penalty, VAR decision justifiable?
Obviously why question?
It was fortuitous, England put on superb match winning display, I think the best team won.
GBR48
After dreadful performances, England finally played some football in the first half, before the Dutch tweaked their tactics and things got cagey.
The refs haven't been too bad, but Germany should have had a penalty v Spain, and England shouldn't v the Dutch. That simply wasn't a foul.
Kane can take a penalty better than most but he is starting to look like a passenger for the rest of the game. Not sure why. He's been banging them in for Bayern. He's going to have to make more space for himself and any passes are going to have to be perfect for him.
Knocking the ball around in a semi-circle looking to go through a crowded defence requires more precision, and they need to use the wings more. Saka was their best player in the previous game, Foden in this one.
Watkins has been a goal machine For Villa. That was a super strike. And Foden nearly matched Yamal's.
England remain very vulnerable at the back and will need to tighten up v. Spain. They will need subs before the very last possible minute. They have been lucky. Luck only takes you so far in a tournament.
carpslidy
A great winner
It was England's best game by a mile
The first half as really good, less so in the second
Foden was unlucky not to score
I thought it was never a penalty and the Dutch should have had a penalty for holding in the box
Hopefully their luck will hold for one more game
Jimizo
Never a pen.
Great game to watch - unusual when England are involved.
Still, they have improved a lot in this tournament. Brilliant finish from Watkins - he and Toney have played their parts in this tournament.
Koeman furious but those of us old enough to remember his foul on Platt might have limited sympathy. Crap Everton manager as well.
itsonlyrocknroll
I thought that, Jimizo, Harry Kane stayed on the ground.
My Father, in contortions insisted its a penalty, I just view an equal play for the ball, a block
Harry Kane's controversial penalty v Netherlands! Was that penalty fairly given? England Netherlands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o45a2PsbtLk
However, its a funny old game, and England did play a superior match
Seesaw7
Can't wait for Sunday!
u_s__reamer
Kane should have gotten an Oscar, but lucked out with the more useful penalty he was after.
Jimizo
Some arguing it would have been a free-kick if it had happened outside the box and so the decision was consistent. Refs are obviously more hesitant to give pens.
I don’t think it was a foul even if it had happened on the halfway line.
You usually need a bit of luck/decisions to go your way in tournament football. As mentioned earlier, Spain got away with a handball inside the box v Germany.
UK bookies have Spain at 8/11 and England at 6/5.
wallace
I predict England will win on Sunday, just like I predicted a win yesterday. I'm on a roll.
kohakuebisu
Fantastic goal from Watkins!
England were very good first half, easily the best of this tournament. They were finding lots of pockets of space and passing it vertically, most noticably to Foden at last. After the Dutch changed systems, this dried up and it was back to passing it sideways. Offside goal aside, England struggled to create anything.
Spain are a much better side, but still gave the French a number of chances. If they can be more clinical than the French, like Watkins was last night, they could win this.
Dr.Cajetan Coelho
Exemplary Englishman Kane is a role model for footballers in England and across Europe. Despite agony and pain, the skipper stood up as a courageous soldier and took the spot kick in style showing no signs of personal sufferings. Gareth Southgate, the Supreme Commander of the three Lions is blessed with awesome talent on the bench. Watkins, Palmer, Gallagher, Konsa, Shaw, Toney, and TAA are all game-changers in waiting.
ClippetyClop
Just watched the highlights. Deffo a penalty.
Nah, studs showing, leg high, very far from a 'block'. More of a lunge. You have to give that.
I really hope we can give it our all on Sunday and win something for once.