England took an early lead thanks to Xavi Simons’ long-range goal, but quickly faced a response from England’s captain, Harry Kane, who scored from a penalty kick. The second half saw few opportunities until England secured the win in added time with a goal from substitute Watkins.
This marks England’s first major final on foreign soil in history, giving them a chance to redeem their loss to Italy three years ago. Their opponent in Sunday’s final will be Spain, widely regarded as the top team of Euro 2024.
Match-winner Watkins expressed his anticipation for this moment, crediting Cole Palmer for setting up his winning goal as another substitute. Watkins emphasized the team’s resilience in coming from behind to secure victories throughout the tournament.
England, despite criticism for their performance earlier in Euro 2024, has relied on individual brilliance to reach the semi-finals. They finished at the top of their group narrowly and struggled with defensive play.
The semi-final match in Dortmund was more engaging than their previous games in Euro 2024. Simons’ early goal forced England to attack, leading to Kane’s equalizer from a penalty kick. The first half saw England dominate, with several close chances denied by the Dutch defense.
However, the second half saw a tighter midfield from the Netherlands, limiting England’s attacking opportunities. England struggled to regain momentum and faced challenges in breaking through the Dutch defense.
Yet, just as the match seemed headed to extra time, Watkins’ decisive goal sealed England’s victory. His shot across the goal gave England the win, marking a historic moment for the team. England now looks ahead to the final against Spain, aiming to end their 58-year wait for a major international trophy.
