In a pulsating Euro 2024 semi-final at Dortmund’s iconic Westfalenstadion, England emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, thanks to a last-gasp goal by substitute Ollie Watkins.
The victory propels Gareth Southgate’s men to their second consecutive European Championship final, where they will face Spain in Berlin.
Early Setback for England
The evening began disastrously for England when Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons pounced on a mistake by Declan Rice just seven minutes into the match. Simons drove forward and unleashed a thunderous shot from 35 yards that beat Jordan Pickford, igniting celebrations among the Dutch supporters.
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It was a dream start for the Netherlands, who looked to replicate their 1988 European Championship success on German soil.
Controversial Equaliser
England, undeterred by the early setback, pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded in the 17th minute when a controversial penalty decision changed the game’s momentum. Harry Kane was caught by Denzel Dumfries after sending a volley over the bar. Initially, it appeared innocuous, but German referee Felix Zwayer, after consulting VAR, awarded the penalty.
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Kane, determined to atone for his missed penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup, calmly slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner, bringing England level.
Midfield Battle and Missed Chances
The match opened up, with both teams creating several scoring opportunities.
Phil Foden and Harry Kane tested Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, while Dumfries made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Foden.
At the other end, Dumfries saw his header crash off the bar from a Simons corner, and Foden responded with a curling shot that struck the post.
The midfield battle intensified, with England’s Jude Bellingham and Foden finding space but unable to capitalise fully.
Tactical Adjustments
Injury forced Dutch coach Ronald Koeman to replace Memphis Depay with Joey Veerman in the 35th minute, a move that helped the Netherlands regain control in midfield.
Wout Weghorst replaced Donyell Malen at halftime, adding physical presence to the Dutch attack. England, meanwhile, welcomed back Marc Guehi in defence, providing stability against the Dutch advances.
Late Drama and the Winning Goal
As the match progressed towards extra time, tension mounted, and both teams became more cautious, wary of making critical mistakes.
Pickford made a crucial save to deny Virgil van Dijk, while Bukayo Saka’s goal was ruled out for offside in the 79th minute, cutting short England’s celebrations.
Southgate’s substitutions proved decisive in the end. In the first minute of stoppage time, Cole Palmer, on for Foden, delivered a precise pass to Watkins. With his back to goal, Watkins turned and fired a low shot into the far corner, leaving the Dutch defence stunned and the English fans ecstatic.
“I’m lost for words, really,” said Watkins. “I don’t think I’ve hit a ball that sweet before, and obviously in such a special moment.”
Reactions and Reflections
Gareth Southgate praised his team’s resilience and tactical execution.
“It has to be the best, it’s another landmark,” Southgate said. “We played so well throughout the game. It was a complicated game but I thought we caused them problems all night.”
Harry Kane, reflecting on the penalty incident and the victory, said, “My foot’s hanging off. He definitely caught me but sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. I’m so proud of every single player… It’s been a really difficult tournament and to do what we’ve done away from home is really special.”
Dutch coach Ronald Koeman expressed his disappointment, particularly with the penalty decision.
“What can you do as a defender? In my opinion, this shouldn’t have been a penalty,” he said. Despite the loss, Koeman acknowledged the team’s strong performance throughout the tournament and remained optimistic about the future.
“We should be proud, we’ve achieved many things in these weeks,” Koeman said. “This team is able to do more. And moreover, there are also players who will join us in the future.”
Looking Ahead to the Final
As England prepares to face Spain in Berlin, Southgate and his squad know they must elevate their performance to secure their first major trophy since 1966.
Spain, having defeated France 2-1 in their semi-final, presents a formidable challenge with their dynamic and skilled squad.
Jude Bellingham, who played a crucial role in England’s midfield, is particularly excited about the final.
“To be back here at this club that’s helped turn me into the player and the man that I am… But the most important thing is that we’ve come out with the win,” he said, referring to his former club Borussia Dortmund’s home ground.
With the stage set for a thrilling final, England stands on the brink of making history. The anticipation is palpable as fans and players alike dream of lifting the European Championship trophy on Sunday.