With both sets of players and technical staff preparing themselves for extra time, it was England substitute Ollie Watkins’ late stunner that fired his side to a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, sending the Three Lions into the UEFA Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin.

England have now reached the final of back-to-back European Championships, with Sunday’s showpiece being the first time the men’s team have progressed to a major tournament final on foreign soil.

So without further ado, let’s break down all the action from the second semi-final of Euro 2024. 

UEFA Euro 2024 Match 50: Netherlands 1-2 England 

England flew out of the box and displayed some scintillating football in the first half, which was without a doubt their best performance at this Euros. However, they had to come from behind for the third time in the knockout stages after a brilliant strike from Xavi Simons put the Dutch ahead in the seventh minute. 

England’s equaliser came 11 minutes later under controversial circumstances when Harry Kane took a whack to his right foot from Denzel Dumfries as he shot at goal, with the referee, Felix Zwayer, eventually being sent to the pitch side monitor by the VAR. The on-pitch official then pointed to the spot and Kane expertly dispatched past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

England dominated the remainder of the first half, with Foden twice coming agonisingly close to scoring—first when Dumfries cleared his initial effort off the line, before another effort hit the woodwork. The Dutch fullback hit the woodwork himself, although the Netherlands’ chances were few and far between.

However, the second half saw the Three Lions revert to a slower, more laborious side we have seen for much of this Euros. Jordan Pickford was called into action when he produced a sharp save to keep out a Virgil van Dijk effort, while half-time substitute Wout Weghorst made himself a nuisance for the tiring England defence.

Gareth Southgate’s side thought they had gone ahead when Bukayo Saka slotted home from Kyle Walker’s cross, but the latter was marginally offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.

But there was time for one more chance, and it fell to one of the most in-form players from last year’s Premier League season: Ollie Watkins scored the match-winning goal from a near-impossible angle. He was found in the area by Cole Palmer with a waited pass who turned away from Stefan de Vrij before firing home through the defender’s legs and into the far corner, sending the England fans around the world into raptures.

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