England put an end to a great Orange party at the European Football Championship very late and are just one step away from their first major title in 58 years. Thanks to a stoppage-time goal, the star ensemble around Bayern striker Harry Kane and Champions League winner Jude Bellingham beat the Netherlands 2-1 (1-1) in the semi-finals on Wednesday and will face Spain in the final .
In front of 60,926 spectators in Dortmund, Kane (18th minute / foul penalty) and Ollie Watkins, who came on for Kane (90th + 1), turned the game around for coach Gareth Southgate’s team after an early deficit with their goals . Unlike in previous games, this time the Three Lions showed their football class for at least half and offered the best performance in the competition.
European Championship final on Sunday
England will challenge Germany to defeat Spain in the final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday (9 pm). For the first time, England will be in a major final that is not being held at home. In 1966, they became world champions against Germany at Wembley Stadium in the self-proclaimed motherland of football. Three years ago they lost to Italy in the European Championship final at the same venue. Now the long-awaited second big title is coming.
For the Netherlands, however, the dream of a second European Championship win in Germany after 1988 has been dashed. The lead was not enough thanks to a dream goal from Xavi Simons (7th) for coach Ronald Koeman’s team.
A big football festival in Dortmund
The big football festival in Dortmund was not limited to the evening game, but started at lunchtime. Around 100,000 Dutch fans turned the city into a huge party zone. Orange in full front. Ex-professional Wesley Sneijder, among others, delegated the party happy crowd left and right from the bus fan, which has now become a cult.
Even before kick-off, the Dutch fans in Dortmund were partying hard.
Photo: dpa/AP/Markus Schreiber
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Oranje took part in what police said was the largest fan procession in the city’s history. The “Eviva España” supporters were delighted. The English, more than adequately represented with 25,000 fans, were clearly superior for the first time at this European Championship.
Lots of pace in the game
The Dutch started on the field. Simons won the ball from Declan Rice in the England half, ran a few meters and smashed the ball into the top corner with full force.
The English tactics of previous games with a focus on control and defensive stability were now obsolete. The Three Lions had to come – and they did. Led by captain Kane, England pushed for a quick equaliser.
Scored the equalizer for England with a penalty: Harry Kane.
Photo: dpa/Friso Gentsch
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First, the Bundesliga’s top scorer failed with a long shot past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, then Denzel Dumfries hit him hard as he tried to score in the penalty area.
Kane fell, the German referee Felix Zwayer watched the scene again in the video and then decided on a penalty. The foul man converted himself with a well-aimed low shot and became the only European Championship record scorer in games won. England’s record in the once-feared discipline remains perfect in this tournament. After the victory from the spot over Switzerland it is now: six tries, six goals.
England are stronger offensively than they have been in a long time
Zwayer’s appointment was viewed with great skepticism in England before the game. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham harshly criticized and verbally attacked the now 43-year-old after a defeat against FC Bayern. This time the superstar was at least happy with the penalty decision.
In front of the big eyes of British music, Adele and Ed Sheeran, England went ahead. Southgate’s side were almost unrecognizable and produced their best tournament performance so far in terms of creativity and offensive drive. The agile Phil Foden in particular gave the Dutch goal a scare. First Dumfries prevented England from getting on the line after the 24-year-old’s shot (23′), then a long-range shot from Foden hit the outside post (32′). Dumfries were unlucky for Oranje with a header from a corner hitting the crossbar (30′).
Second half with less action
The half-time whistle not only gave a breather, but also a small break in the game. The audience, who love to sing, were no longer engaged in much offensive action. Instead, long ball relays dominated the event. Pickford directed a shot from Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk after a free kick for a corner (65′).
Overall, the Dutch were just more in control. However, when they were not paying attention. Kyle Walker turned from the right to the center and Bukayo Saka scored to make it 2-1 to England – Koeman’s side were lucky that Walker was offside. The game is now in favor of the Three Lions. In stoppage time, Joker Watkins sent the England fans wild with joy.