England Triumphed Over The Netherlands To Advance To The Euro 2024 Final

England vs Netherlands Euro 2024

England will meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final after substitute Ollie Watkins secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday.

Xavi Simons put the Dutch ahead just seven minutes into the match, but England captain Harry Kane equalized from the penalty spot following a challenge by Denzel Dumfries.

As the game seemed destined for extra time, Watkins scored in the 91st minute with a superb turn and low shot after receiving a pass from Cole Palmer.

The evening began poorly for England when Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead. However, Kane's penalty, awarded after a VAR review by German referee Felix Zwayer, brought England level. With extra time looming, Watkins, who had replaced Kane, took Palmer's pass, turned, and fired into the far corner, stunning the Dutch.

England's campaign under Gareth Southgate has been inconsistent, but they have reached their second consecutive European Championship final, aiming for their first major trophy since 1966. To win, they will need to improve against a strong Spain team, who have had an extra day to prepare after their 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday.

The Netherlands, hoping to replicate their 1988 Euros success in Germany, will now return home, their dreams dashed.

England reached this stage despite not winning any of their last four matches in regular time, having been pushed to extra time by both Slovakia and Switzerland.

This might have given the Dutch a physical advantage, as they rebounded from a third-place group finish to easily defeat Romania and then overcome Turkey.

England's defense was bolstered by the return of Marc Guehi after suspension, while Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman chose to start Donyell Malen in attack at the Westfalenstadion, his home ground with Borussia Dortmund.

The Westfalenstadion holds special significance for the Dutch, being the site of their 2-0 victory over Brazil that secured their place in the 1974 World Cup final.

Disputable penalty

The Dutch took the lead after just seven minutes with a stunning goal by Simons, who dispossessed Declan Rice 35 meters from goal and fired a powerful shot past Jordan Pickford.

The Dutch players celebrated with their fans behind the goal, while England found themselves trailing for the third consecutive game.

However, just like in the quarter-finals against Switzerland, England responded quickly.

Kane forced a save from Bart Verbruggen and then sent a volley over the bar, getting caught by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through.

The incident seemed harmless, but Zwayer was called to review the images and awarded a penalty.

Kane, who had missed a crucial penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup, confidently slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner.

The game became open and entertaining, with Dumfries redeeming himself by clearing Phil Foden's shot off the line.

Dumfries then hit the bar with a header from a Simons corner, while Foden responded by curling a long-range shot off the top of the post.

England's midfielders had too much space, prompting Koeman to reinforce the center by replacing the injured Memphis Depay with Joey Veerman.

Another change came at halftime, with Wout Weghorst—previous rounds' super-sub—replacing Malen.

As the game progressed, it became more cautious with both teams wary of making mistakes.

Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk at the 65-minute mark, and the Netherlands began to dominate as England's key players tired.

England thought they had scored in the 79th minute when Bukayo Saka turned in a Kyle Walker cutback, but Walker was offside, and the flag halted the celebrations.

Southgate then substituted Kane and Foden, bringing on Watkins and Palmer, who made a decisive impact.

 

 

Source: The Peninsula Qatar