England defeats Netherlands in extra time, advances to final: 2-1

The second finalist of EURO 2024 was determined in the Netherlands-England match. England, scoring the winning goal in the 90+1st minute after trailing in the 7th minute, advanced to the final.

Netherlands initially took the lead with a rocket from Xavi Simons. However, England equalized through a penalty by Harry Kane. In a game that saw little action in the second half, Ollie Watkins, who substituted Harry Kane, scored the decisive goal in the 90+1st minute, securing England’s 2-1 victory and a spot in the final.

England will face Spain in the final match, scheduled for July 14 in Berlin.

SIMONS’ ROCKET, KANE’S PENALTY

The Netherlands took a 1-0 lead in the 7th minute with a stunning shot from Xavi Simons. Simons seized the ball after pressing in England’s half and struck from 21 meters, beating goalkeeper Pickford.

After the goal, England pressed for an equalizer and was awarded a penalty in the 16th minute. Harry Kane’s shot in the box was interrupted by Dumfries, leading to a VAR decision for a penalty. Kane took the penalty and scored, leveling the match at 1-1.

TWO POSTS, ONE CLEARANCE OFF THE LINE

After the equalizer, England increased their pressure. In the 23rd minute, Phil Foden came close to scoring. Foden received the ball inside the box, drove it to the goal area, and shot, but Dumfries cleared the ball off the line.

In the 30th minute, the Netherlands nearly scored. From a corner on the right, Xavi Simons sent a cross to the right of the penalty spot. Dumfries rose with the defenders and headed the ball, which hit the crossbar.

Two minutes later, England almost scored again. Bukayo Saka’s pass found Foden at the right edge of the box, whose shot hit the post.

SAKA SCORES BUT FLAGGED OFFSIDE

In the second half, both teams played cautiously. In the 79th minute, England thought they had scored through Saka, but the goal was ruled offside. Kyle Walker’s cross from the right was finished by Saka, but Walker was flagged offside.

WATKINS’ STRIKER FINISH

England took the lead in the 90+1st minute with a goal from Ollie Watkins. From an attack on the right, Cole Palmer passed to Watkins, who controlled the ball on the right side of the goal area and scored with a low shot. Watkins, who substituted Harry Kane in the 81st minute, found the net, giving England a 2-1 lead and a place in the final.