An Unlikely Scorer Wins it for England in Late Fashion
Germany - After a thrilling Spanish Semifinal victory, the winner of England vs. Netherlands will face the fiery fiestas. It has been a bit of a bumpy ride for both squads. The Netherlands finished third in their group, only collecting four points, but still managed to get into the Semifinals of the European Championship. On the other hand, England won their group even with fans and neutrals calling for Gareth Southgate’s job. They have been playing a rather boring brand of soccer but nonetheless, they have gotten the job done.
Even playing in the home of Borussia Dortmund, this had the atmosphere and aura of a Premier League match. Most of the English squad consists of Premier League players, but the Dutch squad has a fair amount as well. Players like Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk headline the Netherlands. After tossling for possession to open the match, the Netherlands were the first to strike! The 21-year-old, Xavi Simons, hit an unbelievable strike on goal. It was full of power and hit with precision and accuracy. The Dutch took the early lead and it felt eerily similar to the Semifinal from yesterday.
The English almost broke through to tie the match with a Harry Kane rocket from outside the box. The Dutch keeper, Bart Verbruggen, made a great save. Moments later, in the 14th minute, Bukayo Saka was dribbling around the edge of the box and found Kane around the penalty spot. Kane then blasted the ball towards the net and sailed over the goal, but after a VAR review, it was deemed that Denzel Dumfries had fouled him on top of the boot. A yellow card was given to Dumfries and a penalty was awarded for England. Kane powerfully smashed the ball into the lower left corner of the goal! Verbruggen even dived to the correct side but it was hit so hard that it was never going to be saved. It was tied up at 1-1 within 18 minutes of action.
Felix Zwayer, the referee in the match, was previously banned for six months due to being convicted of match-fixing. Jude Bellingham publicly criticized him while he still played for Borussia Dortmund. Bellingham was fined a heavy amount but was truthful in his comments. Coincidentally, Zwayer awarded the English side a penalty kick that was definitely questionable. It’s crazy how these types of things are brought to light in times like these.
In the 22nd minute, the English were inches away from taking the lead. Phil Foden was less than a soccer ball’s length from scoring. After a brilliant pass from Kobbie Mainoo and some fancy dribbling, his chip over the keeper was cleared away by Dumfries. The Goal-Line technology showed just how close it was and it was narrowly kept out. Yet, another chance arose for the Netherlands, with Donyell Malen going on the counterattack. His left-footed shot was stopped by Kyle Walker and Mark Guehi. In the ensuing corner, Dumfries had a clear header but it went off the crossbar. Once England got possession back, they were on the attack. Phil Foden was once again, inches away from scoring. His left-footed curler shot attempt was inches away from going off the post and bouncing into the back of the net. It was almost from the exact position where Lamine Yamal scored from. On the camera close-up, you could see the frustration on Foden’s face as he has yet to score in this competition.
Unfortunately, for the Netherlands, Memphis Depay was substituted off due to a hamstring injury. Joey Veerman took his place, in what was a surprising move as most expected Wout Weghorst to come onto the pitch. In the 38th minute, Foden had his third, great chance to score. Very similar to his last shot attempt, it was a left-footed curler towards the far post but ended up being a practical save for Verbruggen. To end the half, Nathan Ake awkwardly headed the ball towards goal but skied it and went nowhere on target. After a fun first half, the Dutch and English were all square at one goal a piece.
Both squads made substitutions to begin the second half. For the Netherlands, Weghorst came in for Malen. For the English, Luke Shaw came in for Kieran Trippier. There wasn’t a lot of commotion in the opening minutes. It was truly all about keeping possession and patiently waiting for the right shot attempt. It was a very dry 15 minutes into the second half as it looked like both teams were scared to make a mistake. It wasn’t until the 64th minute that there was a real scoring attempt. Van Dijk hit a skipping ball into the box, off a freekick, and was pushed away by Jordan Pickford. It was a brilliant save and it kept the game tied. On the corner kick, Dumfries' heading attempt sailed over the goal, once again.
Frustrations were beginning to show as Bellingham was given a yellow card, in the 72nd minute, for his late slide-tackle attempt on Stefan de Vrij. It was getting down to the nitty-gritty. Everyone wanted to advance to the Euro Final and both teams were beginning to do whatever it took to win. Xavi Simons was close to bagging his brace in the 77th minute but didn’t keep his head down. The ball cleanly bounced into the arms of Pickford.
Bukayo Saka was inches away from being onside as his go-ahead goal was taken off the board. English fans were going berserk for a few seconds before finding out that their savior had his goal taken away. It was a disappointing chance that was lost. During the deal-ball delay. Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins substituted onto the pitch for Foden and Kane. For only the second or third time in this game, England decided to press the Dutch, and the Dutch turned it around and picked them apart. Guehi made a great defensive play to subdue Weghorst from getting a clean shot. In the next Netherlands counter, Bukayo Saka received a yellow card for tripping Gakpo on his run towards the goal. On the free kick, Virgil Van Dijk was also given a yellow card for arguing with the referee on his wrong decision. It should have been a corner kick but was awarded a goal kick and Van Djik, being the captain, is allowed to have a conversation.
When all was dead, Ollie Watkins became the saving grace that England needed. His goal was sensational and of utmost importance. The way he turned with de Vrij at his back and smashed the ball into the side netting of the far post was brilliant. Watkins' 90th-minute goal will go down in the history books as one of the most important goals in the country's history. Yellow cards were being given out left and right for the Dutch for dissent. In late, late, drama, England will advance to the European Championship Final for the second time in the last two tournaments. With the English faithful singing Sweet Caroline, they were feeling the sweet feeling of victory. England and Spain will face off for it all on Sunday, July 14th at 1 pm EST.
