England reach final of Euro 2024 with two players the heroes in sensational Netherlands win
England have reached the final of Euro 2024 after a pulsating 2-1 win over the Netherlands
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England have made the final of Euro 2024 with a pulsating 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday night, with Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins both on target.
The Three Lions fell behind in the seventh minute of the contest, with Xavi Simons getting the better of Declan Rice before unleashing an unstoppable effort past Jordan Pickford and into the top corner.
England didn't have too long to wait for a leveller, however, with Kane scoring a penalty just 11 minutes later.
The Bayern Munich hitman shot past Bart Verbruggen after being fouled by Denzel Dumfries inside the box, banishing the demons of the 2022 World Cup in the process.
England have reached the final of Euro 2024 after a pulsating 2-1 win over the Netherlands
PA
And Watkins struck at the death to spark wild celebrations on the England bench, with the Three Lions just 90 minutes away from ending 58 years of hurt.
There have been plenty of question marks over England at this tournament.
After a 1-0 win over Serbia, they were unable to find a way past Denmark and Slovenia. Pressure mounted, and heavily.
Ever since Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick against Slovakia, however, things have changed.
England have a new lease of life and the lion has finally roared. After their dramatic penalty shootout win over Switzerland on Saturday, they're riding a wave. A wave that might, just might, take them all the way.
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This was England at their brilliant best, the England everybody has been waiting to see.
They were unfortunate to fall behind early on, with Simons' goal coming against the run of play.
England players of yesteryear would have gone hiding. Not this crop, however. Not this mix of old and young that have made a nation dream once more.
Kane missed a penalty for England when they lost to France in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But he showed nerves of steel to bounce back tonight, with his brilliant penalty laying the foundations for England's brilliant comeback.
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It was the least England deserved.
They were agonisingly close to going ahead in the first half, with Phil Foden seeing a terrific effort strike the bar.
Foden also thought he'd scored when he wiggled through the Netherlands defence, only for his effort to be cleared off the line.
In the second half, after the interval, things were close and tight.
England, while creating more chances, left themselves vulnerable at the back with Jordan Pickford called into action on a couple of occasions to keep the Netherlands at bay.
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England fell behind against the Netherlands with Xavi Simons opening the scoring in their Euro 2024 clash
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In the end, however, it was Wakins who struck and stood up to become a hero.
It has been a frustrating tournament for the Aston Villa star, who flourished for his club last season as they qualified for the Champions League.
Watkins, during recent matches, has had to put up with being behind both Kane and Ivan Toney in the pecking order.
With Kane starting to flag a little amid the heat of the battle, however, Southgate opted to roll the dice.
And some roll it was.
England levelled against the Netherlands at Euro 2024 with Harry Kane scoring from the penalty spot
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Watkins spun around after some good work from Cole Palmer, another substitute.
And the Villa striker finished with aplomb, firing England through to their second final in three years.
The celebrations at the end of the match were wild and jubilant. Whether they can celebrate victory over Spain on Sunday, in a final that means so much, remains to be seen.