2024-07-12 10:30:42
England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, after beating the Netherlands 1-2 with goals from Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins. This result takes England to their second consecutive Euro final, looking to redeem themselves from their penalty shoot-out loss to Italy in 2021.
Dortmund was all set to witness one of the classics of continental football. The Netherlands, who had not played in a EURO semi-final since 2004, were in the spotlight with an England side hoping to play in their second consecutive final. Ronald Koeman opted for Malen on the right wing, while Guéhi returned to the centre of defence for the ‘Three Lions’ after his one-match suspension.
The match started at a very high pace, and before the 20th minute two goals had already been scored. First, the Netherlands struck with the first chance they had. In the 7th minute, Xavi Simons stole the ball in England’s half and advanced without thinking towards the opponent’s goal. When he reached the edge of the box, he unleashed a spectacular right-footed shot that beat Pickford. England reacted well, and in the 18th minute Harry Kane tied the match by converting a penalty he had himself caused. 1-1 and a new match in Dortmund.
The goal suited England well, and in the 23rd minute Dumfries cleared a close-range effort from Foden off the line. The Dutch responded with a header that rebounded off the crossbar after a corner from Simons.
The match was a beautiful one, and in the 32nd minute Foden sent an exquisite shot off the post of Verbruggen’s goal. Shortly afterwards, Memphis Depay, injured, had to leave the field. Veerman was his substitute.
Palmer gave the Netherlands a scare with a shot in the 88th minute that went high. The scare turned into death in added time, when Watkins, who had come on minutes earlier, turned inside the area and put the ball out of Verbruggen’s reach. England will therefore play their second consecutive final, and Spain will be their opponents on July 14 in Berlin.