Football European Championship - Incredible feeling": Watkins shoots England into the finale
England's captain Harry Kane embraced match winner Ollie Watkins after the late goal in the Euros quarter-final against the Netherlands on a Wednesday evening. Gareth Southgate, the coach, also performed a joyful dance in front of his bench. A late goal from Watkins in stoppage time helped England end the "big Orange party" at the Euros and left them just one step away from their first major title in 58 years.
The star-studded English team, featuring Harry Kane (18th minute/penalty) and Champions League winner Jude Bellingham, defeated the Netherlands 2:1 (1:1) in the semi-final and will face Spain in the final on Sunday (9 pm/ARD and MagentaTV). To the sounds of "Sweet Caroline," the English players were celebrated by their wildly euphoric fans. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford took a bath in the English crowd immediately after the English block.
"We've made history. I'm so proud of all the players and staff," England captain Harry Kane said. "It's been such a difficult tournament for us. It was so hard to get to this final. But we're ready!"
"Swear by the life of my children"
In front of 60,926 spectators in Dortmund, Kane (18th minute/penalty) and the substitute Ollie Watkins (90.+1) turned the game around after an early Dutch lead with their goals. Unlike in previous games, the Three Lions showed their footballing class for at least the first half and delivered their best performance of the tournament.
Even the much-criticized coach Southgate made lucky substitutions in the closing stages. "I told Cole Palmer: We're coming in, I'll shoot the goal and you'll play the pass," Watkins said. "It's an incredible feeling."
For the first time, England is now in a major final that doesn't take place at home. In 1966, England, the self-proclaimed motherland of football, became World Champions at Wembley Stadium against Germany. Three years ago, they lost in the Euro final at the same stadium to Italy in a penalty shootout. Now, the long-desired second major title is within reach.
Long live Spain at the fan march
The football festival in Dortmund didn't start with the evening game but began around midday. Around 100,000 Dutch fans turned the city into a massive party zone. Orange dominated completely. The fan bus, which had become a cult object, directed the jubilant crowd to the left and to the right.
At the largest police-approved fan march in the city's history, the Dutch fans agreed. Cheerfully, they chanted "Eviva España." The English, with 25,000 fans also present in significant numbers, were outnumbered for the first time at this Euros.
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 crossbar.
The English tactic with a focus on control and defensive stability from previous games was now outdated. The Three Lions had to come back - 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's goal, then he was fouled by Denzel Dumfries in the penalty area.
Kane fell, referee Felix Zwayer watched the scene again on video and awarded a penalty. The fouled player himself converted with a precise low shot and became the sole record scorer in penalty shootouts at the Euros.
England played offensively strongly for the first time in a long time.
The setup of Zwayer was met with skepticism in England before the game. During his time at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham heavily criticized and verbally attacked the 43-year-old after a loss against FC Bayern. This time, at least, the superstar should have been satisfied with the penalty decision.
In front of the British music stars Adele and Ed Sheeran, England continued to press. The Southgate team was hardly recognizable, showing the best tournament performance in terms of creativity and offensive drive.
Above all, the very agile Phil Foden caused alarm in front of the Dutch goal. First, Dumfries on the line prevented the English leadership (23.) from Foden after a finish. Then, Foden's long-range shot hit the Dutch goalpost (32). For Oranje, Dumfries had a header from a corner hit the post (30).
Second half with less action
The half-time whistle brought not only a breathing break, but also a small break in the game. The singing spectators were no longer offered big attacking actions. Instead, long ball possession sequences dominated the game. A header from the Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk after a free-kick was deflected by Pickford to a corner (65).
Overall, the Dutch had significantly more control until the final phase: First, Saka scored what was believed to be the 2:1 for England (79) - but the Koeman team still had luck, as Saka's preparer Kyle Walker was supposedly offside. In stoppage time, Watkins then made the English fans ecstatic with a goal.
- The Netherlands, known for their love of soccer, brought their 'Orange' spirit to the European Championship.
- The match between England and the Netherlands was a highly anticipated showdown in the Euros semi-final.
- Denzel Dumfries, a key player for the Netherlands, had a significant impact in the game against England.
- Jordan Pickford, England's goalkeeper, showed his prowess by making important saves throughout the tournament.
- Xavi Simon, a Dutch midfielder, almost gave his team an early lead with a powerful strike against the crossbar.
- The English team, led by Harry Kane, demonstrated superior footballing skills in the first half of the Euros quarter-final.
- Jude Bellingham, a young talent from England, had a critical role in turning the game around in the second half.
- 'Endgame' was the sentiment among the English fans as they entered the final stage of the European Championship.
- Gareth Southgate, the England coach, has led his team through numerous challenges and now stands on the verge of winning a major title.
- children around Europe followed the European Football Championship with excitement, as they witnessed history being made.
- Ollie Watkins, the match-winning substitute for England, dedicated his late goal to his coach for his belief in him.
- The final match of the European Championship will take place in Bavaria, where Spain will face an English team determined to make 'History'.
