England Reach Final Of EURO 2024 After Beating Netherlands In Controversy Laden Semi-Final

England and Netherlands produced a cracker of a game at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Dutch took the lead in the 7th minute courtesy of an immaculate strike by Xavi Simons. Harry Kane scored the equaliser from the spot in the 18th minute. The game was heading towards extra time but at the 90th-minute mark, Ollie Watkins scored a scintillating strike from inside the box to give England the lead. The Orange outfit could not script a comeback from there and hence England have advanced to the final. They will take on Spain in the concluding match of the tournament on Sunday, July 14, 2024.

Also Read | Lionel Messi says he will keep on playing for Argentina beyond Copa America final

England Reach Final of EURO 2024; Beat Netherlands 2-1

England reached a second straight European Championship final by beating the Netherlands 2-1 thanks to substitute Ollie Watkins’ stoppage-time winner on Wednesday.

Watkins, who came on for captain Harry Kane in a bold call by coach Gareth Southgate, turned and smashed a fierce shot into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time.

England will play Lamine Yamal and Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin. It will be the nation’s first title match on foreign soil, having won the World Cup in 1966 and lost to Italy in the Euro 2020 final — both times at Wembley Stadium.

In an open first half, Harry Kane’s 18th-minute penalty canceled out Xavi Simons’ brilliantly struck opener for the Dutch in the seventh minute.

Watkins had only made one previous appearance at Euro 2024 — as a substitute in the group game against Denmark — so it was a surprise when he was introduced by Southgate in England’s biggest match so far.

(With inputs from AP)