Agency :
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.
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.
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.