EURO 2024: Semi-finals Full of Drama, Tricky Final?

England came up with a dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals. Ollie Watkins found the back of the net in stoppage time to take the Three Lions into their first-ever final at a foreign field major tournament.

The Oranges took an early lead through Xavi Simons before England levelled at the penalty spot courtesy of Harry Kane.

Match Preview

The Netherlands struck first in the 7th minute as Simons dispossessed Declan Rice before firing home from outside the box. England were allowed to pull level with a controversial penalty just 10 minutes later when Denzel Dumfries fouled Harry Kane. Kane stepped up and scored against the keeper to level the score. 

England dominated the first half, with Phil Foden hitting the woodwork twice while Dumfries cleared off the line.

The second half was much tighter, with Jordan Pickford making a vital stop from Virgil van Dijk. Substitute Ollie Watkins capped off a dramatic win at the very end, beating Calum Chambers and rifling home from a tight angle after fellow substitute Cole Palmer had set him up.

Finalists Stats So Far:

England has now won three of their five knockout matches from behind, also doing so against Slovakia and Switzerland. Harry Kane’s penalty was his 3rd goal of the tournament, levelling with a few others in the race for the Golden Boot.

Final Preview:

England will now face Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin. Spain has been outstanding in the tournament so far; to many, 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal seemed a star in the making. 

Gareth Southgate will want his side to replicate their first-half performance against the Netherlands but tighten up at the back in the second half. 

Spain’s tiki-taka will present another challenge, with England drawing confidence from that dramatic winner late on.

So far, Spain has been the outstanding team at the tournament, convincingly winning all five of their matches.

They are also the joint top scorers with 11 goals and have a good mix of attacking flair and defensive solidity. Coach Luis de la Fuente was enthused about the commitment and quality of his youthful squad.

Well, maybe it is just the lineup between two teams and young chaps for the final.

England will be searching for their first major trophy in 58 years, while Spain is eyeing an addition to its trophy cabinet after successes in the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.  

Will Late Drama England continue its streak in the final, or Spanish Young Magic will Overcome?

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