England reached the Euro 2024 final thanks to a late 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday night in Dortmund.
Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute winner punctured a game that seemed destined for extra time and potential penalties.
The first 45 minutes was the best period of football Gareth Southgate’s team have put together in the entire tournament. Nonetheless, they went a goal behind after just seven minutes.
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Xavi Simons robbed the ball from Declan Rice who wasn’t braced for the challenge and bore down on goal. His ferocious shot blew through the fingertips of Jordan Henderson in goal to put the Netherlands 1 – 0 up. A highlight goal from a young player starting to get recognition.
England would equalise 11 minutes late through a Harry Kane penalty. The decision could be debated, but Kane’s technique could not. His assured finish clearly buoyed England, who pressurized their opponents until half time.
With the game still level, both managers made changes at the break. Wout Wedgehorst came on for Donyell Malen, while Luke Shaw replaced Kieran Trippier.
The second half settled into the cagey tournament fare we’ve become well accustomed to in recent weeks. Wedgehorst made an impressive nuisance of himself, using his physicality to hassle England’s players. Meanwhile, the three lions had an outstanding Kyle Walker challenge on Cody Gakpo to thank for not going 2 – 1 down.
Bukayo Saka finished smartly from a Walker cutback only to be ruled offside and from there, extra time felt inevitable.
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Enter Ollie Watkins, who had barely had a sniff in Euro 2024, in the 81st minute. Fellow substitute Cole Palmer released him in the right side of the box. Watkins turned and let the ball run across his body, fooling the defender, and rifled the ball into the far corner.
It was the kind of outstanding individual quality that England have relied on so far in Euro 2024. That it came in England’s best performance of the tournament could set them up well for the final against Spain.
The final takes place on Sunday in Berlin.
