Published: 08:46, July 11, 2024
Euro 2024: England stun Netherlands late to face Spain in final
By Xinhua
England's Ollie Watkins (right) scores his side's decisive second goal against Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen during a semifinal match between the Netherlands and England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

BERLIN - Substitute Ollie Watkins sent England to their second successive Euro final with a 2-1 victory over the resilient Netherlands at the Euro 2024 semifinal on Wednesday.

Ronald Koeman's men got off to the perfect start when Xavi Simons danced through the England defense before unleashing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to break the deadlock after just seven minutes.

The Netherlands' advantage didn't last long, as Harry Kane converted a foul-play penalty following a VAR review with a well-placed shot into the bottom right-hand corner in the 18th minute.

Xavi Simons of the Netherlands kicks a ball during a semifinal against England at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)
Netherlands' goalkeeper #01 Bart Verbruggen fails to save England's forward #19 Ollie Watkins' goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal football match between the Netherlands and England at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

The Three Lions gained momentum and almost doubled their lead in the 23rd minute when Denzel Dumfries cleared Phil Foden's shot off the line.

Dumfries remained in the thick of things after rattling the woodwork with a header from a promising position on the half-hour mark.

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England's forward #09 Harry Kane fights for the ball with Netherlands' midfielder #24 Jerdy Schouten during the UEFA Euro 2024 semifinal football match between the Netherlands and England at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)
England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham chest controls the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final football match between the Netherlands and England at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

Gareth Southgate's men controlled possession but couldn't convert their chances before the half-time whistle.

After a slow start to the second half from both sides, the Dutch gradually gained the upper hand, but it was not until the 65th minute that Pickford was called into action to save Virgil van Dijk's header.

England continued to threaten and thought they had regained the lead, but Bukayo Saka's goal was ruled out for offside in the 79th minute.

England's goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (top) clears a ball next to Denzel Dumfries of the Netherlands (22) during a semifinal at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)
England's manager Gareth Southgate celebrates at the end of a semifinal against Netherlands at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Dortmund, Germany, on July 10, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

The Three Lions stunned the Oranje in the 91st minute when Watkins finished off an attack with a curling shot into the right-hand corner.

The Netherlands piled on the pressure, but England's defense held firm to set up a meeting with Spain in the final on July 14.

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"I'm lost for words! I didn't want to come off the pitch at the end because I wanted to soak it all in. I don't think I have ever hit a ball that sweet. I never thought I would play at a Euro 2024 with England, but I've put in a lot of hard work to get to this point," said Watkins.