England's 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final was sealed by Ollie Watkins' last-minute goal. Controversial refereeing decisions, including a VAR-awarded penalty, frustrated Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk, who called for greater accountability. England advances to the final to face Spain.
In a dramatic Euro 2024 semi-final, England triumphed over the Netherlands with a 2-1 victory, thanks to a last-minute goal by Ollie Watkins.
The match was marked by controversy, as a first-half penalty awarded to England turned the game around. Initially, Harry Kane was caught by Denzel Dumfries, and the on-field officials dismissed any claims. However, VAR intervened, and referee Felix Zwayer reviewed the incident, ultimately awarding the penalty, which Kane converted.
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk expressed his frustration with the officiating, suggesting that referees should be held accountable for their decisions.
He noted his disappointment with the quick exit of the referee post-match, indicating a lack of opportunity to discuss the contentious calls.
The Netherlands had initially taken the lead through Xavi Simons' early strike, but the game shifted after Kane's equalizer.
Despite a strong performance, the Dutch were unable to reclaim their advantage. Van Dijk highlighted the emotional toll and the shattered dreams of the team, particularly with Watkins' decisive goal coming in the dying moments.
