Ollie Watkins scores the winner in the 90th minute
Image: Keystone
Ollie Watkins, who came on for Harry Kane in the 81st minute, was the unexpected match-winner
Image: Keystone
Cole Palmer also deserves credit from Southgate for his performance after coming on as a substitute
Image: Keystone
For the Netherlands and striker Wout Weghorst, the second England goal was a late and unexpected blow
Image: Keystone
Gareth Southgate leads England into the European Championship final for the second time
Image: Keystone
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane get the chance to win their first title with England on Sunday night
Image: Keystone
Ollie Watkins scores the winner in the 90th minute
Image: Keystone
Ollie Watkins, who came on for Harry Kane in the 81st minute, was the unexpected match-winner
Image: Keystone
Cole Palmer also deserves credit from Southgate for his performance after coming on as a substitute
Image: Keystone
For the Netherlands and striker Wout Weghorst, the second England goal was a late and unexpected blow
Image: Keystone
Gareth Southgate leads England into the European Championship final for the second time
Image: Keystone
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane get the chance to win their first title with England on Sunday night
Image: Keystone
England reach the European Championship final for the second time in a row. Gareth Southgate's team beat the Netherlands 2:1 in the semi-final in Dortmund thanks to a late goal.
10.07.2024, 23:09
11.07.2024, 06:49
SDA
On Sunday in Berlin, England will play Spain for their first European Championship title. England's chance to win their first trophy since the 1966 World Cup was due to a clear improvement in performance in the semi-final compared to all their games at this European Championship. The "Three Lions", who beat Switzerland in the quarter-final, were more aggressive and effective in Dortmund, at least in the first half, than ever before at this tournament, which had brought them so much criticism until Wednesday evening.
The fact that the disappointing second 45 minutes did not cost them a place in the final was down to substitute Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa striker crowned one of England's very rare successful attacks after the break, scoring the 2-1 after a pass from Cole Palmer, another substitute, which nobody in the Dortmund stadium had expected. The Dutch, who had taken a 1-0 lead after seven minutes through Xavi Simon, were a touch closer to making it 2-1 after the break. It was the first half that justified England's place in the final in terms of play.
An English spectacle
The early 0:1 through Xavi Simons did not put England out of their stride, although a ball loss by Declan Rice and a less than ideal intervention by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford facilitated the goal. On the contrary: it was a wake-up call for the star-studded team. They combined, pressed and shot. Harry Kane's 1:1 was the rather meagre reward, as the English invested a lot, risked a lot in attack and in no way resembled the England that had struggled through the other five European Championship games in Germany.
It was a spectacle in a wonderful footballing atmosphere, for which England were mainly responsible for half an hour. Kane scored his third goal of the tournament after 18 minutes from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 and his sixth goal in a European Championship knockout round match, making him the sole record holder in this regard. Prior to that, he had been hit by Denzel Dumfries with an open-sided half-volley. The Dutch full-back often remained at the heart of the action in the intense minutes that followed the 1:1: when he cleared Phil Foden's shot on his own goal line or when he headed against the crossbar after half an hour.
It was Dutch coach Ronald Koeman who put an end to the football festival shortly before the break by bringing on Joey Veerman to strengthen the midfield and lock down the center. After that, England were more reminiscent of the England that strings together somewhat helplessly ineffective passes. More than 50 minutes passed between Phil Foden's long-range shot hitting the post and England's next chance on goal from Palmer, who had replaced Foden. It was the Dutch who had the best chance in the second half with a shot from defender Virgil van Dijk. Pickford made the save.
Southgate's brilliant record
On Sunday in Berlin, Southgate, who has been so harshly criticized in recent weeks, can make himself immortal by leading his team to their second major title, 58 years after their World Cup triumph in 1966. Even if this tangible success has not necessarily been apparent from the performances in the games so far, it would still be logical over the last few years. Under Southgate, England have reached one World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals.
This will be only the second time England and Spain have faced each other in a knockout round match at a major tournament. In 1996, England prevailed in the quarter-finals of the home European Championship after 120 goalless minutes thanks to winning a penalty shoot-out. Gareth Southgate was part of the England defense at the time.
Telegram:
Netherlands - England 1:2 (1:1)
Dortmund- 60'926 spectators. - Referee Zwayer (GER). - Goals: 7 Simons 1:0. 18 Kane (penalty) 1:1. 90 Watkins 1:2.
Netherlands: Verbruggen; Dumfries (93. Zirkzee), De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké; Schouten, Simons (93. Brobbey), Reijnders; Malen (46. Weghorst), Depay (35. Veerman), Gakpo.
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guéhi; Saka (93. Konsa), Mainoo (93. Gallagher), Rice, Trippier (46. Shaw); Foden (80. Palmer), Bellingham, Kane (80. Watkins).
Comments: Both teams complete. 30th header from Dumfries hits the crossbar. 32nd shot from Foden hits the crossbar. Cautions: 17th Dumfries. 72nd Bellingham. 86th Saka. 87th Van Dijk. 91st Simons.
