England clinched a dramatic victory against the Netherlands in the last minute, securing their place in the European Championship final alongside Spain. The match, held at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, ended 2-1 in favor of England, thanks to a late goal by substitute Ollie Watkins.
The game was highly anticipated, with both teams eager to end their long title droughts. The Netherlands struck first with a stunning 25-meter shot by Xavi Simons in the 7th minute. However, England quickly equalized through a penalty converted by Harry Kane in the 18th minute, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
Despite the heavy rain in North Rhine-Westphalia, which caused water to pour from the stadium roof, the atmosphere remained electric. English fans, in particular, were in high spirits, even singing praises to a German police officer who resembled their national coach, Gareth Southgate.
The second half saw fewer chances, with both teams appearing cautious and prepared for extra time. However, Watkins, who came on in the 81st minute, had different plans. His decisive goal in the dying moments of the match sent England into their second consecutive European Championship final.
The victory was not without controversy, as Bukayo Saka's goal was disallowed for offside in the 79th minute. Nonetheless, England's persistence paid off, and they now have a chance to win their first major title since 1966. The final against Spain promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams in excellent form.
- Before the match, Dortmund's city center was transformed into a football party by fans from both nations. Approximately 100,000 Dutch fans and 25,000 English fans gathered to celebrate, although there were reports of altercations between the two groups.
- England's journey to the final has been challenging, with the team criticized for their lackluster performances despite their star-studded lineup. However, they have shown resilience, particularly in their penalty shootout victory against Switzerland.
- The Netherlands, led by Ronald Koeman, were aiming to replicate their 1988 European Championship triumph, which also took place in Germany. Despite a strong showing, their journey ended in heartbreak as they were unable to overcome England's late surge.
