The kinder interpretation is that England were already in the ascendancy, riding a wave of momentum towards the Euro 2024 final, when referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot.
Yet the Netherlands will exit the tournament looking back on a sliding doors moment and feeling understandably aggrieved after Denzel Dumfries conceded a first-half penalty – and earned a booking – for a collision with Harry Kane inside the box.
Kane converted, low to the ‘keeper’s right, to cancel out Xavi Simons’ long-range opener and swing the semi-final back in England’s direction, before Ollie Watkins’ remarkably tight finish at the death propelled Gareth Southgate’s men into a second consecutive European Championship final.
“It says everything that the referee quickly goes inside,” Virgil van Dijk said. “This hurts so much, I don’t know what to do. We are left empty-handed.”
Former Netherlands international Pierre van Hooijdonk added: “The referee and the VAR should be blacklisted, terrible!” It was a view shared by Dutch boss Ronald Koeman, who insisted: “This sort of VAR decision kills football.”
There were no shades of the reckless penalty which Kane blazed over the bar against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final in Qatar, which ultimately knocked his side out. In fact England have scored every one of the 13 penalties they have been awarded since that nightmare shortly before Christmas.
But none have been as contentious as this one, Dumfries protesting furiously that he had been given no choice but to challenge for the ball.
Referee Zwayer was a controversial selection for such a high-profile match, having previously been banned for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal back in 2005. It is fair to say his reputation in the Netherlands has not improved.
England had a few gripes of their own, but they will quickly be forgotten as attention turns immediately to Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
Here were the moments that decided a historic night.
Kane’s penalty
The decision against Dumfries came as a surprise even to ITV’s resident refereeing consultant Christina Unkel, who insisted the video assistant referee (VAR) should not award England a penalty.
“One of the surprising things here is yes, is there a studs contact by Dumfries onto the top of the boot of Kane? Correct,” Unkel said.
“However, Kane is getting the shot off completely. His momentum is following him through. I am quite surprised that this is being sent because it is not a clear and obvious error and in fact the preferred recommendation is for this to not be a penalty.”
Penalty – 𝙔𝙀𝙎 or 𝙉𝙊?
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
Frankly, does anyone care?#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/6c9cjMQhEF
On commentary, Lee Dixon echoed a nation: “I don’t think that’s a penalty – but I don’t care. I really don’t care.”
ITV pundit Gary Neville was adamant it was a “disgraceful decision” and “never a penalty”, though alongside him in the studio Ian Wright believed it was “reckless” play from Dumfries.
“If that’s anywhere else on the pitch, you get a foul for it,” Wright said.
Kane came off worse for wear from the incident and went down clutching his foot but any fears of an injury were quickly shaken off – and the Bayern Munich striker will battle Spain’s Dani Olmo (who also has three goals at this tournament) for the Golden Boot in the final on Sunday.
i‘s verdict: Not a penalty. Wrong.
Foden’s ghost goal
This was the night Phil Foden really was on fire – at long last. The Manchester City forward had promised the best was yet to come and he was unfortunate not to end the night with a goal, almost emulating Lamine Yamal’s screamer from the other semi-final against France but hitting the woodwork.
HOW HAS THAT NOT GONE IN?!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
Foden is denied by Dumfries on the line#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/rFloT7eZau
The 24-year-old came even closer, though, after some good work from Kobbie Mainoo and even quicker feet from Foden just yards out. His effort dangled tantalisingly on the line but the entirety of the ball did not make it over before it was cleared – and that was confirmed by goal-line technology. Dumfries was the Dutchman on the line in a flash of redemption – and the centre-back later hit the bar with a header too.
i‘s verdict: You can’t argue with the technology – although Foden was adamant he had scored.
Saka’s offside
Bukayo Saka could have no complaints either, initially thinking he had scored the goal to send England to the final in the 79th minute, only to see it ruled out for an offside against Kyle Walker in the build-up.
Offside!
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
England has the ball in the back of the net but it won't count…#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/w3Y2tWTxda
Had the tie gone to extra time, England might have been left to rue that moment – until up stepped Watkins.
i‘s verdict: Walker’s offside could have narrowly been missed. It was tight but spot on.
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