Ollie Watkins struck a stunning stoppage-time winner as England beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday to set up a Euro 2024 final showdown with Spain in Berlin.
It was an incredible finish to an evening that began badly for England, as Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in the semifinal in Dortmund.
However, England was soon level through a Harry Kane penalty following a contentious VAR call by German referee Felix Zwayer, and the match looked set for 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.
“I’m lost for words really,” said Watkins, the Aston Villa striker. “I don’t think I’ve hit a ball that sweet before, and obviously in such a special moment.”
It has rarely been a convincing campaign from Gareth Southgate’s England, but the Three Lions are through to their second consecutive European Championship final as they dream of finally winning a first major trophy since 1966.
To do that they will surely have to perform better than at any point so far in Germany as they face an outstanding Spain team, which beat France 2-1 on Tuesday.
“We play the team who’ve been the best team in the tournament and we have a day less to prepare so it’s a huge task. But we’re still here and we’re fighting,” Southgate said.
The Netherlands had been hoping to repeat their triumph at the last Euros in Germany, in 1988, but its current side lacks anyone with the star quality of Marco van Basten or Ruud Gullit.
A victory for the Orange would have seen this Euros conclude with the same final as the 2010 World Cup. Instead they now go home.
“I am disappointed about the final result in a match which started really good for us,” said their coach, Ronald Koeman. “A great goal, and then it’s over, and that is difficult to accept.”
England had got to this stage despite not winning any of its last four matches in 90 minutes, and having been taken to overtime 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 Koeman opted to start Donyell Malen in attack on the field where he plays club soccer 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.
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