Ollie Watkins fired in a 90th minute winner as England came from behind to beat Netherlands 2-1 to reach UEFA Euro 2024 Final.
Substitute, Watkins fired in a 90th minute winner from fellow sub, Cole Palmer’s pass to seal a comeback win for the Three Lions.
Xavi Simons had rifled the Dutch into a seventh minute lead only for Harry Kane to equalise from the penalty spot for England in the 18th minute, after a reckless foul from Denzel Dumfries.
Speaking to ITV post-match, Kane praised his teammates for their performance but added that Watkins deserved to score the winning goal.
“Especially in the first half we had a lot of control. Second half there were a few tired legs out there. Overall I thought we deserved to win it.”
“He’s been waiting, he’s been patient. What he did was outstanding and he deserves it.”
Watkins in his interview was chuffed to score at his first major international tournament but hit out at those who have criticised the team over the past month.
“I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m delighted. I swear on my life that I said to Cole Palmer that he’s going to set me up today and I’m going to score. It’s the best feeling ever.
“There’s been a lot of criticism but we’re in the final and that’s all that matters. We’ve got that bounce back factor. Going behind seems to kick us into gear. We’ve won on penalties and come from behind.”
England will meet Spain at Olympiastadion, Berlin, in the Final on Sunday 14 July at 9pm CEST (8pm UK Time).
Amidst much of pre-match surrounding the previous corruption of German referee – Felix Zwayer, both teams made an energetic start.
Ronald Koeman’s Dutch however drew first blood just seven minutes into the game as Simons dispossessed Declan Rice and calmly rifled into the far-left corner, past a helpless Jordan Pickford as he dived back across goal.
England responded with a step up in intensity and almost equalised in the 13th minute as Kane unleashed a low shot, which Bart Verbruggen blocked.
Bukayo Saka one minute later was the next England player to go close but his shot was blocked out to Kane who volleyed over the bar, amidst a reckless high-footed challenge from Dumfries only for Zwayer to dismiss his penalty appeals.
Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) however intervened and forced Zwayer to overturn his original decision, from which Kane duly stepped up four minutes later to restore parity with a strike from the penalty spot into the left corner.
England seemingly turned the game around in the 23rd minute as Kobbie Mainoo teed up Phil Foden to fire in, only for the latter’s shot to be blocked on the line and Zwayer waved away claims that the ball had crossed the line with his decision confirmed by goal-line technology.
Foden then picked up a 32nd minute pass from Saka but curled his shot agonisingly onto the left post as he aimed for the top left corner, before he saw a shot seven minutes later saved by Verbruggen in a frustrating first half for the 24 year-old.
Netherlands meanwhile missed an opportunity of their own in the 30th minute as Dumfries nodded a corner-kick onto the bar and over.
Memphis Depay however handed the Dutch an early blow after he suffered a suspected hamstring and had to be substituted in the 35th minute, with midfielder Joey Veerman sent on which enforced a tactical reshuffle in positions with Donyell Malen moved into central striker role.
Koeman’s Oranje eventually managed to keep the score level into half-time as England finished the first half on top, oozing of confidence and renewed belief.
Ahead of the second half, both teams made changes as England manager, Gareth Southgate substituted Kieran Trippier for Luke Shaw to create extra quality on the left flank.
Koeman meanwhile hooked Malen off for Weghorst who has been a huge impact sub for the Dutch in this tournament, as the Netherlands set about stifling England’s energetic midfield.
That gamble paid off as the tempo slowed down with the first chance of the second half having only came in the 61st minute, as Simons curled wide of the top left corner before he then won a free-kick three minutes later which Virgil van Dijk hit on goal but Pickford punched away.
Dumfries then nodded over from the consequent corner as the Dutch continue to put Pickford under pressure.
England almost made the Dutch eventually pay in the 79th minute as a free-flowing move up the right found Foden, who cut back across the box for Saka to smash in but his goal was disallowed after Foden was adjudged to had been correctly offside in the build-up play.
That chance proved to be Foden’s last involvement as he and Kane were substituted a minute later for Palmer and Watkins, as the Three Lions looked to push for a late winner in their bid to reach a second consecutive Euros Final.
Southgate’s late tactical substitutions almost paid dividends in the 88th minute as Shaw played a long cutback pass across the box, yet Palmer could only rifle his shot wide of the top-left corner.
Watkins however stepped up as the hero with seconds to spare before just two minutes of injury time as he met Palmer’s pass into the box, and rifled a tight shot into the left corner to send England fans wild in celebrations as the Men’s team reached a first final on foreign soil.
As celebrations began on English soil, Prince William – President of the FA – singled Watkins out for praise as he took to X to share a congratulatory post.
What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists 🎉 W https://t.co/fKsChSLHQ4
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) July 10, 2024
King Charles III meanwhile issued the following statement: “My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match.
“If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!
“Good luck, England.”
UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer is currently at a NATO Summit but sent a congratulatory post on X to the team.
What a game @England and what a winner.
Berlin here we come!
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 10, 2024
TeamsÂ
Netherlands – Bart Verbruggen, Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (Zirkzee 93′), Tijjani Reijnders, Jerdy Schouten, Cody Gakpo, Xavi Simons (Brobbey 93′), Donyell Malen (Weghorst 46′), Memphis Depay (Veerman 35′)
Substitutes: Brian Brobbey, Justin Bijlow, Daley Blind, Mark Flekken, Jeremie Frimpong, Lutsharel Geertruida, Steven Bergwijn, Ryan Gravenberch, Ian Maatsen, Joey Veerman, Wout Weghorst, Georginio Wijnaldum, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Light, Mickey van de Ven
England – Jordan Pickford, Kieran Trippier (Shaw 46′), Marc Guehi, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo (Gallagher 93′), Bukayo Saka (Konsa 93′), Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden (Palmer 80′), Harry Kane (Watkins 81′)
Substitutes: Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Ramsdale, Ezri Konsa, Lewis Dunk, Conor Gallagher, Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Joe Gomez, Dean Henderson, Cole Palmer, Adam Wharton
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