Watkins sends England to Euro 2024 final over Netherlands

A sensational injury-time winner by Ollie Watkins helped England beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday to set up a Euro 2024 final match with Spain in Berlin. England started the night poorly when Xavi Simons handed the Netherlands an early lead in the Dortmund semi-final.

After a controversial VAR call by German referee Felix Zwayer, Harry Kane equalised for England, and the match seemed to go to extra time until Watkins scored. In the first minute of stoppage time, Watkins replaced Kane and received a pass from Cole Palmer with his back to goal. He turned and blasted low into the far corner, confusing the Netherlands.

Watkins sends England to Euro 2024 final over Netherlands

Gareth Southgate’s England team has struggled, but they are advanced to their second straight European Championship final and hope to win their first major title since 1966.

To do that, they must play better than ever in Germany against an exceptional Spain team that upset France 2-1 on Tuesday. We play the tournament’s best squad with a day less preparation, so it’s a big assignment. Southgate replied, “We’re still fighting.

The Netherlands had hoped to repeat their 1988 Euros win in Germany, but their current team lacks Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit. They would have seen the same Euros final as the 2010 World Cup if they won. Instead, they return home.

“I am disappointed about the final result in a match which started really well for us,” stated coach Ronald Koeman.

“A great goal, and then it’s over, and that is difficult to accept.”

England reached this stage despite losing their last four matches in 90 minutes and seeing Slovakia and Switzerland go to extra time. After beating Romania and Turkey despite coming third in their group, the Dutch may have had an advantage physically.

England welcomed back Marc Guehi in defence following suspension, while Koeman started Donyell Malen in attack at Borussia Dortmund. Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff scored in the Dutch’s 2-0 triumph against Brazil at the Westfalenstadion to advance to the 1974 World Cup final.

Disputed penalty

Simons robbed Declan Rice 35 yards out and advanced before blasting a shot past Jordan Pickford after seven minutes. The Dutch players raced to celebrate with their fans after that score, leaving England down for the third straight game. As against the Swiss in the quarterfinals, they reacted quickly.

After Bart Verbruggen saved, Kane fired a volley over the bar and was grabbed by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through. Even though it seemed harmless, Zwayer reviewed the photographs and penalised. Kane’s 2022 World Cup blunder against France cost England, but he scored low into the corner.

The game became open and interesting, with Dumfries clearing off the line from Phil Foden and then heading a Simons corner off the bar. Foden reacted by looping a great shot off the post. English midfielders were allowed too much time on the ball, thus Koeman replaced Memphis Depay with Joey Veerman after the forward’s injury.

Wout Weghorst replaced Malen at halftime, but the game got tighter. After Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk on 65 minutes, the Netherlands took control as England’s top players tired.

England scored on 79 minutes when Bukayo Saka turned in Kyle Walker’s cutback, but the flag came up for offside. Southgate removed Kane and Foden, bringing in Watkins and Palmer, who were devastating.