England has advanced to another European Championship final following a dramatic comeback win against the Netherlands in Dortmund, Germany. The thrilling match saw England emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, thanks to a last-minute goal by Ollie Watkins. This victory sets up a title clash with Spain, marking England’s first major final on foreign soil since their 1966 World Cup win.
The match was filled with tension and excitement. Netherlands took an early lead through Xavi Simons, who capitalized on a defensive lapse by England. However, England equalized when Harry Kane converted a penalty after being fouled by Denzel Dumfries. The game seemed destined for extra time until Gareth Southgate made a bold move, substituting Ollie Watkins for captain Harry Kane. Watkins, with a single touch from Cole Palmer’s pass, fired a powerful shot into the bottom corner in stoppage time, sealing the victory.
King Charles III, along with the rest of the nation, experienced the roller coaster of emotions. In his congratulatory message, the king humorously urged the team to avoid any more last-minute dramas to spare the nation’s collective heart rate.
Gareth Southgate’s decision to bring on Watkins proved to be a masterstroke. Watkins, who had only made one previous appearance in Euro 2024, expressed his elation, stating, “Unbelievable—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 got the opportunity and took it with both hands.”
The victory was a bitter pill for Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who had believed his team could win in extra time. England now faces Spain in the final in Berlin, a game that Harry Kane described as “unbelievably tough—a really difficult game.”
The Dutch supporters, known for their vocal presence, dominated the city center before the game, making the atmosphere intense. Despite the early setback, England’s resilience and tactical changes led to a memorable win. The team’s journey through Euro 2024 has been filled with last-minute goals and penalty shootouts, keeping their fans on the edge of their seats.
Gareth Southgate praised his team’s character and performance, noting that coming from behind to win showed their resilience and determination. England now looks forward to the final, with the hopes of ending their long wait for a major trophy since 1966.
