ENGLAND benefitted from a controversial refereeing decision tonight, aided by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), as they defeated the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the final of the Euro 2024 European Championship in Germany.
The Netherlands struck first in Dortmund through Xavi Simons but England levelled from a Harry Kane penalty and snatched victory with a fine late strike from Ollie Watkins to reach a second straight European Championship final under Gareth Southgate.
The Dutch opener was a thing of beauty as Simons, in motion, struck a powerful shot past Jordan Pickford in the seventh minute.
The decisive and controversial moment then arrived, with the referee changing his mind after initially awarding a goal kick to the Netherlands as Kane fell to the turf in the box.
The Three Lions captain was tripped by Denzel Dumfries after his off-target shot, leading to an initial goal kick call by referee Felix Zwayer.
Kane’s reaction, clutching his foot and remaining on the ground, prompted a pause in play for a VAR check.
Following VAR’s intervention, referee Zwayer was called to the pitchside monitor for a second look, and he reversed his first decision, awarding England a spot-kick.
Kane coolly converted the penalty to get England back level, taking his tally for Euro 2024 to three goals despite apparently not being at his best.
With regulation time running out and yet another Euro 2024 period of extra-time looming, England struck.
Two substitutes combined for the winning goal as Cole Palmer fed the ball to Ollie Watkins, who turned smartly in the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
England, looking for their first-ever European Championship title, will battle 2008 and 2012 champions Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin.
