Watkins Scores As England Beat Netherlands 2-1 To Reach Euro 2024 Final

Ollie Watkins scores as England beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday to set up a Euro 2024 showdown against Spain in Berlin.

It was an incredible finish to an evening that began badly for England, as Xavi Simons opened the scoring for the Netherlands in the semi-final in Dortmund.

However, England were soon leveled through a Harry Kane penalty following a contentious VAR call by German referee Felix Zwayer, and the match looked set to drift towards extra time until Watkins struck.

On for Kane, Watkins received a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer with his back to goal in the first minute of stoppage time, turned, and fired low into the far corner to leave the Netherlands bewildered.

It has rarely been a convincing campaign from Gareth Southgate’s England side, but they are through to their second consecutive European Championship final as they dream of finally winning their first major trophy since 1966.

To do that, they have to perform better than at any point so far in Germany as they face an outstanding Spain team.

Spain will also have had an extra 24 hours to prepare for the final, having defeated France 2-1 on Tuesday.

The Netherlands had been hoping to repeat their triumph at the last Euros held in Germany, in 1988, but their current side lacks anyone with the star quality of Marco van Basten or Ruud Gullit.

A victory for them would have seen the Euros conclude with the same final as the 2010 World Cup. Instead, they now go home.

England had got to this stage despite not winning any of their last four matches in 90 minutes, and having been taken to extra time by Slovakia and Switzerland.

That might have given the Dutch an edge physically after the Oranje shrugged off finishing third in their group to brush aside Romania and see off Turkey.

England welcomed back Marc Guehi in defense after suspension, while Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman opted to start Donyell Malen in attack on the ground where he plays club football for Borussia Dortmund.

The Westfalenstadion is a special place for the Dutch, as the scene of their 2-0 win over Brazil, with goals by Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff, that took them through to the 1974 World Cup final.