A beautiful goal by Simons Oranjes was not enough. England will play for the European title thanks to goals from Kane and Watkins

The final pair of the 17th European Championship will be Spain and England. The islanders made it to the fight for the most prestigious trophy of the old continent after a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, which was not enough for Simons’ beautiful goal. Kane and substitute Watkins made the difference.

Wednesday night offered the second semi-final of the European Football Championship. Both the English and the Dutch already knew that if they were successful, Spain would be waiting for them in Sunday’s match. The Iberians beat France 2-1 on Tuesday.

Both coaches have put together the tried and tested line-ups that they have developed during the German tournament. Ronald Koeman sent Donyell Malen on the right wing to replace Bergwijn, who had played in the previous matches.

The game started really sharp. The first shot on goal ended up in the net. Xavi Simons sent it in from outside the box in the 7th minute and Pickford had no chance. Moments later, the English could have equalised, but Saka, as well as captain Kane, did not get the ball into the net.

Harry Kane equalised from a penalty kick

The Bayern Munich cannonballer’s moment came in the 14th minute when referee Felix Zwayer, after consulting the video referee, whistled a penalty against him. Bart Verbruggen stretched in vain after Kane’s subsequent shot – 1: 1.

Phil Foden could have turned the game to Albion in the 23rd minute, but his quick shot was blocked by the defence. On the other side, Dumfries headed in a corner kick, but the Inter Milan defender hit the crossbar.

After an hour of play, the goal also rang for Verbruggen, the active Foden fired from the edge of the box, but the Manchester City winger only hit the left post. Subsequently, the Oranjes coach had to substitute the injured forward Depay, replaced by Veerman.

The second half became a tactical battle

Both coaches made one substitution in the second half. On the Oranjes side, tall Weghorst came in for Malen. Gareth Southgate sent Manchester United midfielder Luke Shaw on the pitch of the Dortmund Arena instead of Trippier.

Virgil van Dijk had the opening chance of the second half after a beautiful centre from Veerman, but Pickford made a great save. Otherwise, from the start, a brisk game was becoming a tactical battle as time ticked down. There was a lot at stake.

It wasn’t until the 79th minute that the excitement came when the Englishmen combined nicely on the right, and Walker’s fierce centre was sent into the net by Saka. But Albion’s joy was stopped by an offside. The game was slowly but surely heading into extra time.

This was denied by a couple of England substitutes. Palmer sent Watkins into the box, and he shot past Verbruggen. The Dutch didn’t have time to react.

Source: CT Sport, UEFA.com