Dutch nightmare in 91st minute: Watkins' golden substitution sends England into Euro final against Spain

Holland

England

7′ – Goal – Xavi Simons (1 – 0)
17′ – Yellow – Denzel Dumfries
18′ – Penalty goal – Harry Kane (1 – 1)
35′ – Cont. Memphis Depay by Joey Firman

72′ – Yellow – Jude Bellingham
80′ – Cont. Phil Foden by Cole Palmer
81′ – Cont. Harry Kane by Ollie Watkins
86′ – Yellow – Bukayo Saka
87′ – Yellow – Virgil van Dijk
90′ – Goal – Ollie Watkins (1 – 2)
90+1′ – Yellow – Xavi Simons
90+3′ – continue. Bukayo Saka to Ezri Konsa
90+3′ – Continue. Kobe Maino Written by Conor Gallagher
90+3′ – Cont. Denzel Dumfries to Joshua Zirkzee
90+3′ – Cont. Xavi Simons via Brian Brobbey
90+4′ – Yellow – Kieran Trippier

European Championship – Round 1 – 07/10/24 – 9:00 PM

time	Player	home time	com.homePlayer	a result	awayPlayer	awayTime
7′	Xavi Simons	7′	Xavi Simons	1 – 0
18′	Harry Kane			1 – 1	Harry Kane	18′
90′	Ollie Watkins			1 – 2	Ollie Watkins	90′

The Orange dream was brutally shattered. With a 91st-minute goal, substitute Ollie Watkins sent England into the European Championship final against Spain. So no glorification for the Netherlands, who took the lead in Dortmund through Xavi Simons but were reviled after a questionable penalty against Harry Kane.

Highlights Netherlands – England

Netherlands – England in brief:

key moment
Opinions were divided, to say the least, about England’s first-half penalty. After VAR intervention, Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot for an alleged foul by Dumfries on Kane. He took the spot-kick flawlessly and quickly nipped the Dutch dream in the bud.
Man of the match
Come the final stage and go down in extra time with a real striker’s goal to the European Championship final. It doesn’t get much better for Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa striker was the golden change for national manager Gareth Southgate tonight.
distinct
The Netherlands have reached the semi-finals of the European Championship six times, only managing to reach the final once. In 1988 this also eventually led to the European title. The Dutch team has now been eliminated before the European Championship final for the fifth time, more than any other team.
statistics
England are the fourth nation to reach two consecutive European Championship finals. The Soviet Union did so in 1960 and 1964, and Spain reached the final in 2008 and 2012. Germany have fared better, reaching three consecutive European Championship finals in 1972, 1976 and 1980, and back-to-back finals in 1992 and 1996. In the final battle. None of these three nations have lost two consecutive finals.

England quickly get things back on track after Dutch dream start

After just 7 minutes, everything orange in Dortmund and beyond went into complete madness. Simons stole the ball from Rice and unleashed a devastating long-range shot from outside the box. Pickford wasn’t enough, the Dutch had their dream start.

VAR helped England get back in the saddle a few minutes later. Dumfries went at Kane with a high leg and based on the images referee Zwayer pointed to the spot. Kane needed the perfect spot kick to beat Verbruggen: 1-1.

England suddenly looked like a different team. The disappointing play of previous games had finally been replaced by a new, dominant brand of football. Midway through the first half, Foden slipped the ball through Verbruggen’s legs from close range, but Dumfries cleared the Dutch on the line.

With a rare Dutch counter-attack, Dumfries was back in the spotlight again, his header hitting the bar from a corner. England, clearly the better team, also had their goalposts shaken. Foden had a good look at Yamal, but his beautiful curling effort ended up on the post.

Watkins delivers extra-time knockout blow to Netherlands

After an excellent first half, the second half began in slow motion. It was only after about 20 minutes that there was finally some excitement when Van Dijk was able to make a decision on a free-kick from Firman, but Pickford had excellent reactions ready.

In Holland, the introduction of Super Sub Weghorst did not achieve the desired result. A weak, cracked shot from Simons into the hands of Pickford was all the Dutch team had to offer.

Saka delighted the England fans just after the start of the final quarter, but his goal was ruled out for offside. Shortly afterwards, Southgate brought on Kane for Watkins and it was a golden change.

In extra time, the substitute mercilessly struck the real striker’s goal. Take, turn and shoot. The ball disappeared into the far corner and the English could not contain their joy. The Dutch remained defeated, and England will have another chance to win the European title against Spain on Sunday after losing the final to Italy in the previous European Championship.

end

England v Spain, it will be the Euro 2024 final. England get a second chance after losing the final to Italy three years ago, and the Netherlands remain defeated. Watkins is the big hero for the Three Lions, the substitute making the difference in extra time.

What an ending here in Dortmund. No final for the Netherlands.

Peter Vandenmpete

Yellow for Simons

Simons still faces a yellow card for protesting.

Then 1-2! Watkins makes the difference in extra time!

Watkins does it for England!

Then anyway! England dance for joy as Watkins makes the difference in extra time! After beating De Vrij, Watkins swings the ball into the far corner.

Full dismissal of Palmer

Farewell Palmer

Suddenly Palmer had an excellent chance from a low cross from Shaw, but his shot took a complete deflection. There was more to this for England.

Yellow for Van Dijk

Tensions rise as the end of regular play approaches. The Dutch could try for another free kick. Weghorst and Van Dijk both go for Reijnders’ ball, but don’t hit it. Rice may have hit it, but the Netherlands won’t get a corner. Much to Van Dijk’s dismay, he is shown a yellow card for protesting.

Dutch nightmare in 91st minute: Watkins’ golden substitution sends England into Euro final against Spain

England quickly get things back on track after Dutch dream start

Watkins delivers extra-time knockout blow to Netherlands

Stage by stage

end