England booked a place in the first major tournament final on foreign soil in the nation’s history thanks to a moment of magic from Ollie Watkins that secured a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday night.
Gareth Southgate’s side faltered in the opening seven minutes when Xavi Simons caught the Three Lions napping and sent a curling rocket past Jordan Pickford’s hands.
But England needed just 11 minutes to draw level again, thanks to a somewhat controversial penalty that Harry Kane stepped up to convert.
Despite some bright moments in the second half, England continued to work hard for the decisive goal, but with the introduction of Watkins and assistant Cole Palmer on the stroke of 90 minutes, England were able to start celebrating.
Here, Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE assesses who dazzled and who needs to do better ahead of the team’s historic final on Sunday night.
Ollie Watkins helped secure England’s place at Euro 2024 on Sunday when he came on as a super-sub.
The Three Lions will play their first major tournament final on foreign soil in Berlin
The Dutch were the first to strike at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, but left disappointed.
England
Jordan Pickford 6.5
You can’t blame him for Simons’ goal, because it was a very powerful shot. Van Dijk made a great save at 1-1 and then shot hard shortly after as the Netherlands put pressure on. Those were very important moments, when you think about it.
Kyle Walker 5.5
He stopped short of Simons and allowed a shot on goal. He should have been less static. He doesn’t sense danger as a centre-back and was lucky when Pickford bailed him out after Van Dijk beat him in the second half.
John Stones 7
His best game of the tournament and for the first time he tried to get into the No. 6’s domain and get the ball. He handled the defensive line well and handled the Dutch period of control well in the second half. They will need more of this in the final.
Jordan Pickford is one of England’s most consistent players, but he was outclassed by Xavi Simons
John Stones had his best performance of the tournament so far as he pushed forward and dealt with Dutch control in the second half.
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi (left) returned to the team after missing the quarter-finals.
Marc Guehi 7
It looked like they might struggle early on as Depay and Gakpo made diagonal runs through the middle, but from then on the team came back smoothly and steadily regained their form.
Bukayo Saka 8
He set the tone from the start, reaping the rewards of his quarter-final performance. His incisive run led to a penalty and his enthusiasm soon spread to the rest. He did not have as much of an impact in the second half, but continued to play at full-back and his work rate was commendable.
Kobbie Mainoo 8.5
Sensational first half. Flicks, tricks, drive, imagination – Holland couldn’t handle him. His run to set up Foden for a great chance was a clear example of his bravery. He wasn’t as involved after the break, but he kept running and running and never hid. England’s best. At 19, what a star!
Bukayo Saka was unlucky to see a goal that could have decided the tie ruled out for offside.
Kobbie Mainoo (right) put in another standout performance in England’s midfield
Declan Rice 7.5
The Dutch striker Simons stole the ball from him for the opening goal but recovered well, as if it had been a mistake. Holland brought on another midfielder before the break, which showed that England’s engine, with Rice as anchor and authority, dominated the pitch. His best performance here by far.
Kieran Trippier 6.5
He played 45 honest minutes, as usual, and got into good positions on the left wing. He had problems with the final pass, given that it is not his preferred side, but his effort and commitment cannot be faulted.
Phil Foden 7.5
The first half was unrecognisable, and that’s a compliment. He finally made an appearance at this Euro. He came very close to scoring three times before the break and looked like a man who had something to prove. But, like the team, he faded in the second half and his withdrawal was right.
Phil Foden was equally unlucky, having his shot saved on the goal line in the final minute.
Jude Bellingham 6.5
He improved because he had more contact with the ball, but he is still not the talisman in general play. He was beaten in the air when Dumfries headed against the bar. He looks tired, as he has been throughout the Euros.
Harry Kane 6
An interesting penalty, but one that was not up to the level of his best moments. Once again he was not present in the area at key moments (especially when Saka passed at the beginning of the second half) and, although he used the ball well, he always did so from very far back. The attacking line was more dynamic when he came out.
Jude Bellingham hasn’t looked very bright during this tournament and hasn’t been one of the strongest players on the team.
England captain Harry Kane had been criticised but was unfazed from the penalty spot.
Substitutes
Luke Shaw (came on for Trippier 46) 5.5
He was asked to play more on the left than in the centre, having played against Switzerland, and was not in top form, which is understandable. The change did not really take advantage of the space on the right for Holland.
Cole Palmer was introduced alongside Watkins and helped set up his crucial 90th-minute goal.
Luke Shaw was unable to start the game but was brought off the bench for a cameo.
Cole Palmer (came on for Foden 81) 7
He missed a great chance late in the game but then set up Watkins for the goal. He had the impact England needed, again!
Ollie Watkins (came in for Kane at 81st) 8
The hero! His Euros campaign was thought to be over given Toney’s impact of late, but that’s why Southgate put him on the pitch, because of his willingness to run in behind and stretch the defence. And what a finish!
Manager – Gareth Southgate 8
The first half, at least after the penalty, was the best his team has played in the entire tournament. The performance dropped, but he made changes at the right time and they made a big difference. He had the courage to take off Kane and Watkins’ winning goal justified a very important decision.
Gareth Southgate proved his worth by replacing Kane with Watkins, making changes at just the right time
Referee – Feliz Zwayer (GER) 4
What was he thinking when he gave the penalty for England after being sent to supervise? His original decision not to give it was not even a mistake, let alone a clear and obvious one! He booked Dumfries for it, unfairly, but then failed to see what could have been a second yellow card for him. He made strange decisions.
NED (4-3-3): Condemn 6.5; Dumfries 7From Vrij 5.5Van Dijk 6.5Beam 5;Xavi Simon 6.5Dodge 5Reijnders 6; Male 5 (Weghorst 46), Depay 6 (Veerman 35. 5), Gakpo 5.5
Coach: Ronald Koeman 5
