UEFA EURO 2024
EURO 2024: England again at the Euro Final!
It is back-to-back Euro Cup finals for England, as they beat Netherlands by two goals to one in a stellar semi-final
Football is loved by millions around the world and for various reasons. But it is the game’s unpredictability that makes it relatable to all. Just like life, one never knows the outcome and oftentimes it surprises many.
The second semi-final match of the UEFA EURO 2024 embodied this very philosophy.
Most football fans expected the Netherlands to completely outwit an England team that was unsure of its rhythm even in the quarter-final. While England broke their penalty jinx against Switzerland in their previous game, the Dutch arrived rock steady thanks to a well-executed win against Turkey in the quarters.
Much like the first semi-final (Spain vs France), the bigger powerhouse took the early lead, as within 6 minutes, the Dutch scored the opening goal.
Xavi Simmons took the ball off a hesitant Declan Rice and strode gallantly towards the English goal, putting a lightning bolt of a shot that goalkeeper Pickford had no answer for. The goal was so delightful, it might even feature as one of the best goals of the tournament.
However, it is calming to see Gareth Southgate’s team not melting under the pressure. Far from it, their transitions were smooth on the field, followed by well-rehearsed movements. Maybe Ed Sheeran’s private concert indeed boosted their confidence away from home.
England began their attack with Captain Harry Kane’s pass finding winger Bukayo Saka in the Dutch D in the 13th minute. While the Arsenal winger’s shot was blocked, Kane was caught during his rebound kick by Dumfries in a foul.
The VAR check revealed a penalty and what was more! Penalty specialist ‘HurriKane’ stepped up for his nation. The England captain is indeed Mr Dependable in front of the goal, (having scored all his goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup from the spot) and an almost flawless record displays his perfection.
And the Bayern Munich forward rewarded the Three Lions with a perfect penalty. With a sharp sting at the left end of the goal post, low in height and super quick, to avoid the grasp of the Dutch keeper, England had equalised in style.
England’s attack was growing in intensity as the 24th minute saw midfielder Kobbie Mainoo pick out Phil Foden in a great pass, who nestled past three Dutch defenders with ease and almost gave England the lead, only for Dumfries saving the shot on the goal line and rightfully earning his redemption for the penalty.
As the game rolled on to the second half, England goalkeeper Jordon Pickford made a superb save in the 64th minute from a point-blank attempt from Van Dikj’s shot that came through a Dutch free kick.
Wout Weghorst, the poacher striker who famously troubled Argentina with his two goals in their quarter-final tie at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, came on as a substitute and combined with Xavi Simmons in the 76 minute with Simmons’ shot being a comfortable grasp for Pickford.
Foden, Walker and Saka combined well in a triangular passing move, with the latter scoring in the 78th minute only to be ruled offside.
The match appeared even-handed until like an alchemy, as the clock touched the 90th minute, Ollie Watkins shot at goal and the ball swiftly went past Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to send England into their second consecutive Euro final. It was a result of Gareth Southgate’s double substitution of Watkins and Palmer coming on, with the latter providing the assist for the goal.
England go on to face Spain in the final on 15 July at 12:30 AM IST
