The second semifinal of the UEFA Euro saw a dramatic match between England and the Netherlands. Despite conceding an early goal, the Three Lions were able to hit back two goals to secure the Euro final for the second consecutive time.
England will face off against Spain, the tournament’s favorite, in the grand finale. Can the Three Lions win their first-ever European Championship?
As it happened
At the Signal Iduna Park, the Netherlands and England faced off against each other to play the semifinal. The Dutches, after defeating Romania and Turkey, were slightly in the upper hand than England.
Dutch boss Ronald Koeman set up the team formation with 4-2-3-1, leaving Memphis Depay in the front with the back of Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons, and Donyell Malen. Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate chose to play with an aggressive 3-4-2-1 formation, using three center-backs.
However, the match started with both sides playing aggressive football. But it was the Netherlands who took the lead first. Xavi Simons drew the first blood when his powerful shot outside from the box beat Jordan Pickford to find the back of the net in just seven minutes.
England, after conceding the goal, did not take much time to find the equalizer. The opportunity came in the 15th minute when the match referee awarded a controversial penalty kick to the Three Lions, from where captain Harry Kane converted the goal.
After that, the two teams continued creating chances but failed to convert. It seemed the match would go to the extra-time, but Ollie Watkins became the hero of England due to his late winner. He came off the bench in the 81st minute, replacing Harry Kane, and stole all the spotlight. He scored a brilliant goal in the dying moments from a very difficult angle, which secured the ultimate victory for the Three Lions.
England manager Gareth Southgate is very proud to take England into the final. He said, “We felt, energy-wise, that we were starting to lose a bit of pressure, and Harry [Kane] picked up a knock. Ollie [Watkins] can press well and get those runs in behind. We felt it was a good moment to try it. I’m so chuffed for Ollie to get his moment. To be able to take England to a first [major] final overseas, I’m immensely proud of that.”
Meanwhile, Ronald Koeman is disappointed after the defeat. He thought his side lost control in the midfield. “I’m disappointed. The match started really good for us and we scored. After that we had problems in midfield, allowing dangerous players like Bellingham and Foden into the game. We made changes, got control back, and in the last 20 minutes we felt we were going to go on. But then the goal – a really good goal – right at the end,” explained Koeman.
