In a thrilling display of resilience, England secured their spot in the Euro 2024 final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, thanks to a last-minute goal by Ollie Watkins.
The match, held in Dortmund, saw England mount a comeback after Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time equalizer pushed the game into extra time. Manager Gareth Southgate's bold decision to bring on Watkins in the 80th minute paid off spectacularly.
Watkins, who had limited appearances in the tournament, received an assist from Cole Palmer before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle, sending the English fans into euphoria. "Unbelievable – I've been waiting for that moment for weeks," Watkins exclaimed, highlighting his journey and hard work that led to this pivotal moment.
The Netherlands, led by coach Ronald Koeman, felt the sting of defeat as their coach reflected, \"I had a feeling toward the end of the match that maybe we could score,\" expressing his frustration over the missed opportunities.
England's path to the final was anything but easy, with narrow victories against Slovakia and a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Their upcoming final against Spain in Berlin marks their first title game on foreign soil, with previous glories and heartbreaks still fresh in memory.
Captain Harry Kane emphasized the challenge ahead, stating, \"It's going to be unbelievably tough – a really difficult game. One more game to make history.\" As England prepares for the final showdown, the nation's supporters and even King Charles III are eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Reference(s):
England beat Netherlands 2-1 on late goal to reach Euro 2024 final
cgtn.com
