England secured a thrilling victory over the Netherlands to book their place in the Euro 2024 final, where they will face Spain on Sunday in Berlin.
A dramatic last-minute goal from substitute Ollie Watkins sealed the win for Gareth Southgate’s side, breaking a 1-1 deadlock and preventing a third consecutive extra-time ordeal for the team.
The match started with an early shock for The Three Lions as Xavi Simons fired a thunderous strike past Jordan Pickford, giving the Netherlands a lead.
They responded strongly, dominating the first half with Phil Foden in exceptional form. Foden hit the post with a long-range effort and forced a fine save from Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
England’s persistence paid off when they were awarded a contentious penalty, which captain Harry Kane converted to level the score before halftime. Despite England’s control in the first half, the Netherlands nearly reclaimed the lead when Denzel Dumfries’ header struck the bar.
The second half saw the Netherlands gain momentum, putting Southgate’s men under significant pressure. Jordan Pickford made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game, ensuring the score remained level as the match approached its final stages.
With the prospect of extra time looming, Southgate made a decisive substitution, bringing on Ollie Watkins for Harry Kane. The move paid off spectacularly as Watkins turned brilliantly and unleashed a superb strike into the net in the dying moments of the match, sending The Three Lions into their second successive European Championship final.
England’s victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Spain in the final, promising an exciting showdown between two of Europe’s top footballing nations. As fans gear up for the final in Berlin, the dramatic semifinal win has bolstered England’s hopes of lifting the trophy.
