soccer - 2:1 against Netherlands: Watkins scores England into EM-Finale
England ended the big Orange Party at the Euro championship very late and is now just one step away from its first major title in 58 years. With a goal in stoppage time, Gareth Southgate's squad, featuring Bayern striker Harry Kane and Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, defeated the Netherlands 2:1 (1:1) in the semifinals and will face favorite Spain in the final.
Ollie Watkins (18th minute/penalty) and the substitute for Kane scored the turning goals for the team after an early setback. Unlike in previous games, the Three Lions showed their footballing class for at least the first half and delivered their best tournament performance.
England faces Germany winner Spain in the final at the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Sunday (9:00 PM/ARD and MagentaTV). For the first time, England will be in a major final that does not take place at home. In 1966, England, the self-proclaimed motherland of football, won the World Cup at Wembley Stadium against Germany. Three years ago, they lost in the Euro final at the same venue to Italy in a penalty shootout. Now, the long-awaited second major title is at hand.
For the Netherlands, the dream of a second European Championship triumph in Germany since 1988 was shattered. The team, led by coach Ronald Koeman, could not build on Xavi Simons' dream goal (7th minute).
Long live Spain at the fan march
The football festival in Dortmund did not start with the evening game but began around noon. Around 100,000 Dutch fans turned the city into a massive party zone. Oranje dominated completely. The fan bus legend, former professional Wesley Sneijder, led the jubilant crowd from left to right.
At the largest fan march in the city's history, Oranje came together. The Dutch fans cheered "Eviva España" happily. The English, with 25,000 fans also well represented, were outnumbered for the first time at this Euro.
Fast-paced football from the Dutch
The Dutch started the game with a dream start. Simons took the ball from Declan Rice in the English half, ran a few meters, and hit the ball with full force into the penalty area in an impressive fashion.
England's tactic with a focus on control and defensive stability from previous games was now outdated. The Three Lions had to respond - and they did. Led by Captain Kane, England pushed for a quick equalizer.
First, the Bundesliga top scorer failed with a long-range shot at the Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, then he was fouled by Denzel Dumfries in the penalty area.
Kane fell, and German referee Felix Zwayer looked at the scene again in the video before deciding on a penalty. The fouled player himself converted with a precise flat shot and became the sole EM record scorer in knockout stages. England's record in the feared discipline remains perfect at this tournament. After the point earned against Switzerland, their record now reads: six attempts, six goals.
England offensively strong like never before
Zwayer's appointment was met with skepticism in England before the game. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham had criticized the 43-year-old after a loss against Bayern Munich and verbally attacked him. This time, the superstar at least had to be satisfied with the penalty decision.
Before the eyes of British music icons Adele and Ed Sheeran, England pressed on. The Southgate-Team was barely recognizable, showing the best performance in terms of creativity and offensive drive in the tournament so far. Above all, the very agile Phil Foden caused alarm in front of the Dutch goal. First, Dumfries on the line prevented the English captain (23.) from scoring after a finish by Foden (24.). Then, Foden's long-range shot hit the Dutch goalpost (32.). For Oranje, Dumfries had misfortune with a header from a corner (30).
Second Half with Less Action
The half-time whistle brought not only a breathing pause but also a small break in the game. The singing fans were no longer offered great attacking action. Instead, long ball possessions shaped the game. A header by the Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk from a free-kick was parried by Pickford to the corner (65).
Overall, the Dutch had more control. However, they didn't manage to keep it up. Kyle Walker passed from the right into the center and Bukayo Saka scored what was believed to be the 2:1 for England - the Koeman-Team was lucky that Walker was offside. The game then turned in favor of the Three Lions. In stoppage time, Joker Watkins made English fans ecstatic.
- Gareth Southgate's squad, consisting of Bayern striker Harry Kane and Champions League winner Jude Bellingham from Dortmund, represented England in the European Championship.
- The Netherlands, led by coach Ronald Koeman, aimed for a second European Championship triumph in Germany since 1988, but their dream was shattered after England's late goal.
- The European Championship final will be held at the Berlin Olympic Stadium on Sunday, with England facing favorite Spain.
- Xavi Simons' dream goal in the 7th minute was the highlight for the Netherlands in the semifinals, but they were unable to maintain their momentum throughout the game.
- The football festival in Dortmund saw a massive gathering of Dutch fans, turning the city into a party zone aboard fan buses led by former professional Wesley Sneijder.
- England's tactic focused on control and defensive stability, but they had to adapt when facing the Dutch's fast-paced football, with Harry Kane leading the charge for an equalizer.
- Jude Bellingham, a critic of German referee Felix Zwayer from his time at Borussia Dortmund, had to be satisfied with the penalty decision in England's favor, with Kane converting from the spot.
- England's performance in the tournament reached new heights, showcasing creative and offensive drive thanks to players like Phil Foden, who created numerous chances despite Denzel Dumfries' defense.
- The second half of the game saw fewer attacking opportunities for both teams, with long ball possessions dominating, although England appeared to regain control in the final moments.
- In stoppage time, Ollie Watkins scored the turning goal for England, sealing their victory and placing them one step closer to their first major title in 58 years.
- With the final of the European Football Championship approaching, Spain and England, two historic soccer nations, prepare for the endgame, with Germany supporting their favorite team of the tournament.
