Substitute Watkins struck an additional time winner as England fixed a spot in the UEFA EURO 2024 final in a sensational style.
In the UEFA EURO 2024 final on Sunday, England will play Spain because Ollie Watkins, a substitute, scored a dramatic late winner to beat the Netherlands in Dortmund.
After dispossessing Declan Rice seven minutes into the game, Xavi Simons started the “fire.” Despite stretching, he was able to fire a blistering shot past Jordan Pickford.
England fell behind for the third knockout match in a row. In the span of 11 minutes, it was 0-0. Harry Kane continued his spot-kick perfection with an effort that gave Bart Verbruggen no chance after Denzel Dumfries was adjudged to have infringed.
Phil Foden was denied by Dumfries; But Foden hit a fine curling shot in response. It was a complete package. The first half was packed with action, while the second half was a fast-paced thriller.
The game’s drama and intensity were not lost as England wrestled back the lead from the Netherlands over time.
Additional time lingered when the wind came in added time as Watkins gathered individual substitute Cole Palmer’s pass, worked only a crawl of room and bored an unerring shot into the furthest corner. That was the roar of the Three Lions.
Ollie Watkins, England’s final goal scorer, won the award for Player of the Match.
The Oranje probably shaded the second half because the Three Lions were unable to build on the momentum they established in the first half. However, England’s defense held strong, as it has for the majority of this tournament, and Watkins made sure that they reached the EURO final in each of their subsequent editions.
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The manager of England, Gareth Southgate:
“We felt, energy-wise, that we were starting to lose a bit of pressure, and Harry [Kane] picked up a knock. Ollie [Watkins] can press well and get those runs in behind. We felt it was a good moment to try it. I’m so chuffed for Ollie to get his moment.”
Ronald Koeman, Netherland coach:
“I’m disappointed. The match started really good for us, and we scored. After that we had problems in midfield, allowing dangerous players like Bellingham and Foden into the game. We made changes, got control back, and in the last 20 minutes we felt we were going to go on. But then the goal – a really good goal – right at the end.”
Stats:
England are through to their second EURO final, just three years after their first when they lost in a shoot-out to Italy.
England are the sixth side to reach back-to-back EURO finals after USSR (1960/1964), Germany (1972/1976, 1976/1980, 1992/1996) and Spain (2008/2012). The previous five all won at least one.
Kane has now scored a record six goals in EURO knockouts, surpassing Antoine Griezmann.
Kane is only the third man to score in successive semi-finals after USSR pair Viktor Ponedelnik and Valentin Ivanov in 1960 and 1964.
England have lost just one of their last 20 competitive matches (W12 D7).
Simons, at 22 years and 125 days, is the second youngest Dutchman to score at a EURO after Patrick Kluivert (19y 353d).
The Netherlands have won only one of their six EURO semi-finals.
