DORTMUND — England are through to the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ dramatic late winner downed the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Xavi Simons had given the Dutch a dream start with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, before England struck back quickly through Harry Kane after a contentious penalty award.
Ronald Koeman’s side had the better of the second half but Gareth Southgate’s substitutes managed to tilt the tie in England’s favour with Watkins finishing brilliantly from Cole Palmer’s assist.
Here’s how every England player rated out of 10:
Jordan Pickford – 7/10
Got a touch to Simons’ scorcher but could do little to prevent it from flying past him. Had to be alert to save from Van Dijk and did well to parry it away from danger. His positioning was sound all night and went shorter with his passing than the last game.
Kyle Walker – 7/10
Managed to keep the Dutch dangerman Gakpo largely quiet and executed an inch-perfect slide challenge on him when it looked as though he was racing through on goal. Used his pace to cover his other centre-backs and Saka well.
John Stones – 7/10
Showed great pace to recover from a heavy touch and prevent a Dutch counter and relished the physical battle with the towering Weghorst. Has organised the defence superbly all tournament.
Marc Guehi – 6/10
Recalled in place of Konsa in Southgate’s only change and produced another assured display. As a natural right footer he struggled at times with his distribution from a wider position on the left.
Kieran Trippier – 4/10
A difficult tournament for the full-back got tougher when he was hooked at half-time for Shaw. The role on the left clearly doesn’t suit him and he struggled to make an impact again. Will surely lose his starting spot for the final.
Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Finished smartly from Walker’s cut-back but the full-back had just drifted offside.Made a lively start with a couple of jinking runs infield but found Ake harder to bypass as the game progressed.
Kobbie Mainoo – 7/10
England’s youngest-ever semi-finalist looked typically unfazed by the occasion. Produced some confident touches when England were on attack and was defensively sound too, notably when racing back to make a crucial interception.
Declan Rice – 6/10
At fault for the opening goal after being dispossessed in his own defensive third by Simons who lashed an unstoppable drive past Pickford. Did well to regain his composure and was largely solid from that point on.
Jude Bellingham – 5/10
Peripheral in the first half and didn’t offer a lot more in the second. Cut a frustrated figure before being booked for a committed lunge on De Vrij. Showed his street-smarts by drawing a foul from a driving run in injury time.
Phil Foden – 7/10
So unlucky not to put England 2-1 up, denied first by Dumfries on the goal-line and then by the outside of the post from a trademark long-range curler. It was shaping up to be his night but he drifted out of the game as the Dutch took control.
Harry Kane – 6/10
Won the penalty after being caught by Dumfries and shrugged off an injury to fire it past Verbruggen into the bottom corner. Produced little of note after the restart and was taken off for the third game running.
Substitutes:
Luke Shaw – 6/10
Still doesn’t look fully fit but showed what he offers when flashing an inviting ball across the six-yard box late on which just skipped past Watkins.
Ollie Watkins – 8/10
Enjoyed the moment of his career after producing the season of his life. Twisted De Vrij expertly before arrowing a magnificent finish into the bottom corner. What an impact.
Cole Palmer – 7/10
Weighted his pass through to Watkins to perfection. Another super-sub from Southgate.
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