England have reached the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ superb last-minute strike secured a 2-1 win over the Netherlands to face Spain on Sunday.
A lively start in Dortmund saw Xavi Simons punish Declan Rice in possession with a stunning strike from range.
But the Three Lions responded, just as they did against Switzerland before still requiring penalties to reach the semi-finals, with Harry Kane fouled by Denzel Dumfries in the penalty area.
The Bayern Munich striker dispatched the controversial spot kick, which Gary Neville labelled “a disgrace” amid intense debate in the ITV studio, after a lengthy VAR review and Phil Foden’s sublime skill almost put Gareth Southgate’s side into the lead.
As extra-time approached, substitute Watkins, on for Kane, smashed a shot home from a narrow angle to send Southgate’s side into Sunday’s final.
Relive all the action and follow reaction from Netherlands vs England below:
Euro 2024: Netherlands v England
- England defeated the Netherlands to set up a Euro 2024 final with Spain
- ANALYSIS: The Gareth Southgate mantra defining England’s Euro 2024 charge
- REPORT: How Ollie Watkins and four touches changed everything for England and set up final chance
- ANALYSIS: Thought you knew the England at Euro 2024? Think again
- RATINGS: Phil Foden shines and Cole Palmer helps to change the game in Euro 2024 semi-final
- King Charles congratulates England on reaching Euro 2024 final
Netherlands 1 - 2 England
Phil Foden finally joins the Euro 2024 party and gives England a gameplan to beat Spain
15:40
Karl Matchett in Germany
It was the performance England had been waiting for, but for Phil Foden, it was perhaps the opponent he had needed.
For 45 minutes, one of the Premier League’s finest and the national squad’s most capable looked every inch the star he has become: a player as adept at finding space as exploiting it, as consistent in his decision-making as in his execution.
After arguably making five false starts, sporadically showing his gifted touch but too often littered with horizontal unimagination, Foden became a playmaker, a goal threat and a counter-attacking fulcrum all at once against Netherlands.
Virgil van Dijk to consider club and country future after semi-final defeat
15:20
Harry Latham-Coyle
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk will consider his future for both club and country over the next few weeks as he processes the disappointment of semi-final elimination at the European Championship on Wednesday, he said.
Van Dijk, who turned 33 on Monday, said he would spend the next weeks figuring out his next career steps after nine years, and 75 caps, in the Netherlands team, plus with a single season left on his contract at Liverpool.
”I haven’t the slightest idea right now. I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player. Then we’ll go for it again, but first recover from this,” Van Dijk told reporters after England beat the Dutch 2-1 to advance to Sunday’s final against Spain.
“After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it’s over,” said Van Dijk, who had felt the Dutch were well placed to win the semi-final at the BVB Stadion.
”Especially in the second half I had the feeling the outcome would fall our way. But (Ollie) Watkins was perhaps given a little too much space and he finished well,” he added of the England substitute’s goal seconds into stoppage time.
”It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the match and are now empty-handed. You put everything into it, everyone gives everything and if the goal comes like that in the last minute, that just sucks. Yes ... sorry.”
Gareth Southgate admits ‘we all want to be loved’ in emotional interview
15:00
Harry Latham-Coyle
Gareth Southgate responded to the criticism he has faced as England manager throughout Euro 2024 after the Three Lions dramatically booked their place in the final, admitting that “we all want to be loved”.
Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 win against the Netherlands, combining with fellow substitute Cole Palmer before firing in the winner.
The goal - and England’s performance on the night - silenced some of Southgate’s doubters, and the manager emotionally reflected on reaching another major final at full-time.
From Weston-super-Mare to the Euro 2024 final – Ollie Watkins is England’s unlikely hero
14:40
Richard Jolly
Bobby Charlton, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins. There is an incongruous presence on the rather short list of players who have scored a semi-final winner for the England men’s football team.
Charlton was England’s record goalscorer and Kane is now. Charlton was a knight of the realm and, if England win Euro 2024, Kane may become one in retirement, too. Then there is Watkins; formerly of Weston-super-Mare, a footballer who was playing in the Conference South at the age Kobbie Mainoo is starring in a European Championships semi-final; who, at the age Jude Bellingham is now, was plying his trade in League Two for Exeter.
Is Gareth Southgate a substitution genius? Every England sub at Euro 2024 ranked and rated
14:28
Luke Baker
England are into the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins hammered home an injury-time winner against the Netherlands to send the nation into raptures. Spain now await in the showpiece on Sunday as the Three Lions try to end a 58-year major tournament drought.
Watkins emerged from the bench to score the winner, which was assisted by fellow substitute Cole Palmer. It’s far from the first time at this tournament that Gareth Southgate has altered the outcome of a match with his changes, yet his reputation as a cautious manager who refuses to utilise his subs seems to persist.
During every England game, the cries across pubs, living rooms and social media insist that the England boss make immediate changes by bringing on a very specific player that the armchair manager knows for sure will definitely, 100 per cent win the Three Lions the game. Of course, this is a different player for each armchair manager but the certainty is always there.
Then, the ‘hilarious’ memes of Southgate wearing a life jacket in the shower or a helmet on an exercise bike to signal his excessive caution will be fired around WhatsApp groups, normally accompanied by scathing wit such as “lol, this is so true.”
But is Southgate’s reputation underserved? Here we look at every substitution he has made throughout Euro 2024, rating and ranking each one to find out exactly which changes have been the most impactful:
The Gareth Southgate mantra defining England’s Euro 2024 charge
14:20
Miguel Delaney in Dortmund
There was a delightedly simple statement from Gareth Southgate, having got over so many complications and questions. “I am a proud Englishman.” That is why he took the job in the first place but it obviously had a greater feeling after delivering the national team to a second final in three years and just a third in history. It also has a greater meaning.
In the elated aftermath of his side’s 2-1 semi-final victory over the Netherlands, Southgate enthused about traditional continental qualities like an England team that “had 60 per cent of the ball against the Netherlands”, to go with so many modern sports science approaches that have fired this team so far. There was also something quintessentially English about this, though.
Phil Foden: Euro 2024 final the biggest game of my career
14:00
The Independent
Gareth Southgate provides Kieran Trippier injury update after England reach Euro 2024 final
13:40
Harry Latham-Coyle
Gareth Southgate has revealed Kieran Trippier was substituted in England’s Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands as a precaution as he manages a groin injury.
The Newcastle defender was replaced at the break in Dortmund with Luke Shaw coming on.
And after Ollie Watkins’ goal sent the Three Lions into the final on Sunday against Spain, Southgate has provided an update on Trippier’s condition.
Kobbie Mainoo determined to cap remarkable rise by making history with England
13:20
Harry Latham-Coyle
Kobbie Mainoo is aiming to complete a remarkable rise to the top by helping England put themselves in the history books.
Gareth Southgate’s side face Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins hit a last-gasp winner to down the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund.
The semi-final success was the third game in a row in which England scored after the 80-minute mark as they reached a second straight European Championship final.
Thought you had England all figured out? Think again
13:00
Richard Jolly in Dortmund
And so the ultimate clash of philosophies is off. Spain against England is a final of teams who had seemed to be road-testing theories on the route to Berlin: Spain that it was impossible to win Euro 2024 without playing well in every game, England that it was possible to win it without playing well in any.
The England team have a breathing coach to help calm their nerves – here’s what you are doing wrong
12:40
Harry Latham-Coyle
The players and Gareth Southgate will take the headlines, but England have a secret weapon up their sleeve at Euro 2024. Suzy Cox explores why the hiring of a breathing coach might just have helped England into the final...
Gary Neville slams ‘disgraceful’ England penalty that left ITV pundits divided
12:20
Harry Latham-Coyle
Even some English pundits felt that the Netherlands were unlucky - Gary Neville described the decision as “a disgrace” as he clashed with Ian Wright over the incident.
Virgil van Dijk slams referee after controversial penalty
12:00
Harry Latham-Coyle
Virgil van Dijk has hit out at referee Felix Zwayer after Netherlands suffered a heartbreaking loss to England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
A controversial penalty awarded to the Three Lions in the first half was labelled as a “disgraceful” decision by Gary Neville at half-time.
And Van Dijk was left upset at full-time after Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner when Zwayer was nowhere to be found following the final whistle.
Dutch newspapers react to ‘scandalous’ penalty as England beat Netherlands in Euro 2024 semi-final
11:40
Lawrence Ostlere
There was a shade of deja vu on Thursday, the morning after the night before. Three years earlier, England had beaten Denmark at Wembley in a European Championship semi-final with a little help from a dubious penalty, and history rhymed as the Netherlands were left to rue a questionable call in England’s favour.
The line between a legitimate block and a dangerous tackle has always been a little blurred, a grey space usually preserved for defenders to safely fling boots, knowing they will not be punished. But Denzel Dumfries was not afforded any leeway as referee Felix Zwayer awarded a penalty for the defender’s challenge on Harry Kane, after reviewing the incident at the recommendation of his video assistant (VAR).
Kane equalised from the spot and England went on to win 2-1 and book their place in the final of Euro 2024.
Dutch newspapers were in no doubt about the decision:
Previous meetings between England and Spain ahead of Euro 2024 final
11:20
Harry Latham-Coyle
England will meet Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin following their dramatic 2-1 victory over Netherlands.
Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic last-gasp winner in Dortmund on Wednesday to send England’s men to a first major final on foreign soil.
Here, the PA news agency looks back at previous meetings between Sunday’s European Championship finalists.
David Beckham and Prince William lead celebrity reaction to England Euro 2024 semi final win
11:00
Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Celebrities have been quick to jump on social media and share their celebrations over England dramatically reaching the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute goal saw The Three Lions secure a 2-1 win over the Netherlands to face Spain on Sunday.
A lively start in Dortmund saw Xavi Simons punish Declan Rice in possession with a stunning strike from range. But England responded, with Harry Kane fouled by Denzel Dumfries in the penalty area. As extra-time approached, substitute Watkins, on for Kane, smashed a shot home from a narrow angle to send Southgate’s side into Sunday’s final.
Former England captain David Beckham shared his admiration for The Three Lions on Instagram Stories, writing: “Wow, team England.” The much-loved midfielder even gave a special shout out to Watkins, who scored England’s winning goal after just minutes on the pitch.
“That’s why they call it a TEAM,” Beckham said. “What a moment. Well done Ollie.”
King Charles congratulates England on reaching Euro 2024 final
10:50
Luke Baker
The King has congratulated the England men’s football team on reaching the final of Euro 2024 – but has urged them to avoid more last-minute drama.
In a message to Gareth Southgate’s side following the Three Lions’ 2-1 win against the Netherlands, Charles sent the players the royal family’s “very best wishes” and “warmest congratulations”.
But the King quipped about the recent drama endured by England fans, including a last-gasp equaliser in the second round against Slovakia and a penalty triumph against Switzerland in the quarter-final, asking them to watch out for the nation’s blood pressure in the final clash with Spain.
Ollie Watkins embraced by family and friends after scoring England’s late winner
10:40
The Independent
What a night for Ollie Watkins, a striker who took the long route to the top via Exeter City, Weston-super-Mare and Brentford.
Ollie Watkins reveals prediction with Cole Palmer after firing England into Euro 2024 final
10:20
Harry Latham-Coyle
Ollie Watkins “manifested” firing England into the Euro 2024 final after telling fellow super-sub Cole Palmer that they would combine to create a stunning 91st minute winner against the Netherlands.
Watkins and Palmer were sent on by manager Gareth Southgate in a bold double change, replacing Harry Kane and Phil Foden with extra time looming against the Dutch in Dortmund.
Ronald Koeman reacts after ‘difficult to accept’ last-minute Ollie Watkins semi-final winner
10:00
Harry Latham-Coyle
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman felt England were wrongly awarded a penalty in their Euro 2024 semi-final defeat - but says the Three Lions are capable of going on to beat Spain in the final on Sunday.
An early strike from Xavi Simons put the Oranje in the driving seat but a fine response from Gareth Southgate’s team saw Harry Kane win and score a penalty in a dominant rest of the first half.
After the Dutch appeared to be in the ascendency once more after the break, England’s subs proved the difference as Ollie Watkins struck in the final moments to send them through to the showpiece game in Berlin.
Luke Shaw reacts to England reaching the final
09:40
Harry Latham-Coyle
Luke Shaw spoke to Uefa after the game, saying:
“It’s hard to put it into words to be honest. So, so happy for Ollie. I said the other day the people who haven’t played many minutes, you never know when your chance will come and you have to be ready. He had an opportunity to come on tonight and took it.
“I’m very happy and privileged to be back out there on the pitch and getting to another Euros final.
“All that matters now is the one more game and we have to do everything to bring that trophy home.”
The Gareth Southgate mantra defining England’s Euro 2024 charge
09:20
Luke Baker
There was a delightedly simple statement from Gareth Southgate, having got over so many complications and questions. “I am a proud Englishman.” That is why he took the job in the first place but it obviously had a greater feeling after delivering the national team to a second final in three years and just a third in history. It also has a greater meaning.
In the elated aftermath of his side’s 2-1 semi-final victory over the Netherlands, Southgate enthused about traditional continental qualities like an England team that “had 60 per cent of the ball against the Netherlands”, to go with so many modern sports science approaches that have fired this team so far. There was also something quintessentially English about this, though.
When foreign players and managers have talked about the Premier League and the divisions below it, they have often been struck by the ferocity of the competitiveness – the willingness to keep going; a perseverance. That has been marketed in the modern world as “anyone can beat anyone” but has referred to the honest will of English sides. This wasn’t always complimentary, either. It was occasionally spoken of as if there was a naivety to it. This was seen as blustering stars wastefully chasing lost causes, as a force that expended energy.
By the same token, there has always been a respect for how English sides have kept going until the end. This is a trait that Southgate and his staff have now properly focused and honed, through strategy and science. It has also meant that a phrase to sum up England’s campaign – and is starting to be said around the camp – is that it isn’t how you start, it’s how you finish.
Read Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney’s full piece:
When is the Euro 2024 final and who do England play?
09:00
Luke Baker
England are through to a second consecutive European Championship final after beating the Netherlands in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate’s side suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 three years ago, losing on penalties at Wembley.
But the Three Lions will have the chance to win their first major men’s international tournament in 57 years in the Euro 2024 final.
Despite poor performances in the group stages, England have beaten Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands in the knockouts.
Ollie Watkins was the star in the semi-finals. After replacing captain Harry Kane, the striker fired England into the final in the 91st minute.
Ollie Watkins: England hero
08:40
Luke Baker
Fair to say Ollie Watkins enjoyed that last night...
"Best feeling I've ever had in my life." pic.twitter.com/fpQjydWjfZ
— England (@England) July 10, 2024
Gareth Southgate turns attention to the final
08:20
Luke Baker
After the celebrations of last night, Gareth Southgate has turned his attention to Sunday’s final against Spain. And he wants to win...
“I took the job to try and improve English football and we’re now in a second final,” Southgate said. “The last one was the first in 50 years. We’re now in the first that isn’t played on our shores.
“I think we’ve got a team that will be together for quite a while, so it’s not as though this is a team that’s at the end of a cycle. We’re giving people some amazing nights. I think we’ve given our supporters some of the best nights over the last 50 years, so I’m hugely proud of that.
“I’m delighted if everybody at home is feeling the way we are and the way the supporters in the stadium are feeling. But from our point of view, we’re not finished. We’ve got the greatest possible test to prepare for and we came here to try and win the tournament, and that’s still our aim.”
The Killers pause gig to show England Euros win... before belting out ‘Mr Brightside’
08:00
Luke Baker
The Killers paused their London gig to screen the final seconds of England’s dramatic Euro 2024 semi-final - before launching straight into “Mr. Brightside” on the final whistle.
Super sub Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 win against the Netherlands and send Gareth Southgate’s team into Sunday’s final against Spain.
The final whistle was met with scenes of jubilation across the nation - including at the O2 in London as The Killers performed.
Footage shared by Nikki Wicks on social media shows the moment the win was confirmed, with the band launching straight into their iconic hit.
How Ollie Watkins and four touches changed everything for England to set up final chance
07:42
Luke Baker
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And that was some way to send England to the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday. In a tournament where every Gareth Southgate decision has been questioned and criticised, it is one of his decisive substitutions that has returned England back to European football’s greatest stage, and a chance of redemption for Euro 2020. Many might say it was the obvious move to take off Harry Kane but it still wasn’t as clear as Ollie Watkins’s sublime strike. Four touches were enough, maybe yet to rectify 58 years.
This is something that shouldn’t be overlooked in all of the undercurrents that will swirl around a gruelling 2-1 victory over the Netherlands.
England are back in a major final, their second in three years, and just the third in history. It is the sort of record this football culture has long desired but now there is the demand for more.
Read Miguel Delaney’s full report from the game:
Thought you knew the England at Euro 2024? Think again
07:40
Luke Baker
And so the ultimate clash of philosophies is off. Spain against England is a final of teams who had seemed to be road-testing theories on the route to Berlin: Spain that it was impossible to win Euro 2024 without playing well in every game, England that it was possible to win it without playing well in any.
Until, as though scarred by the elimination of their soulmates from France, England delivered something that had come to feel out of character: compelling, attacking football. Sluggishness was replaced by speed, disjointedness by moments that demonstrated they could be devastating.
Five forgettable games, interspersed only with moments, gave way to a seminal semi-final. After plodding their way around Germany, cocooned in Blankenhain while most of the teams who provided excitement went out, England belatedly stepped up. They head to Berlin buoyed by a buccaneering first half, a brilliant late winner and a glimpse of the team many had hoped they would be.
From Weston-super-Mare to the Euro 2024 final – Ollie Watkins is England’s unlikely hero
15:46
Harry Latham-Coyle
Bobby Charlton, Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins. There is an incongruous presence on the rather short list of players who have scored a semi-final winner for the England men’s football team.
Charlton was England’s record goalscorer and Kane is now. Charlton was a knight of the realm and, if England win Euro 2024, Kane may become one in retirement, too. Then there is Watkins; formerly of Weston-super-Mare, a footballer who was playing in the Conference South at the age Kobbie Mainoo is starring in a European Championships semi-final; who, at the age Jude Bellingham is now, was plying his trade in League Two for Exeter.
Harry Kane responds to England penalty debate after reaching Euro 2024 final
06:30
Chris Stevenson
Harry Kane joked “my foot’s hanging off!” as he responded to claims that England were “fortunate” to receive a first-half penalty as they trailed the Netherlands before coming back to book a place in the Euro 2024 final.
Gareth Southgate’s side had trailed to Xavi Simons’ stunning strike inside seven minutes in Dortmund before England were awarded a penalty that divided the pundits at half-time.
Kane hit a rising strike over the crossbar from inside the penalty area but as the England captain stayed down holding his foot, replays showed he was caught by Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries.
England v Netherlands player ratings: Cole Palmer helps to change the game in Euro 2024 semi-final
06:00
Mike Jones
England reached the final of Euro 2024 with a late, late victory over Netherlands on Wednesday, setting up a clash with Spain.
After falling behind to an early Xavi Simons goal – a wonderful strike after Declan Rice was dispossessed – England restored parity with a penalty.
It was a controversial call, but Harry Kane won the spot-kick, before converting with an accurate finish.
A nervy, back-and-forth possession game ensued, before England substitutes Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins combined for the winner in the 91st minute, with the latter scoring from a tight angle.
But how did each player perform? Here are The Independent’s player ratings:
Virgil van Dijk slams England v Netherlands referee after ‘dreams shattered’
05:00
Mike Jones
Virgil van Dijk has hit out at referee Felix Zwayer after Netherlands suffered a heartbreaking loss to England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
A controversial penalty awarded to the Three Lions in the first half was labelled as a “disgraceful” decision by Gary Neville at half-time.
And Van Dijk was left upset at full-time after Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner when Zwayer was nowhere to be found following the final whistle.
Gary Neville slams ‘disgraceful’ England penalty that left ITV pundits divided
04:00
Mike Jones
Gary Neville branded Harry Kane’s penalty against the Netherlands a “disgrace” as England were handed a lifeline in their Euro 2024 semi-final.
England will play Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday after Ollie Watkins struck a stunning 91st-minute winner against the Dutch to secure a 2-1 win.
Gareth Southgate’s side had trailed to Xavi Simons’ stunning strike inside seven \minutes in Dortmund before England were awarded a penalty that divided the pundits at half-time.
