England complete a historic achievement

In what looked like a third straight match destined for extra time, Ollie Watkin’s 90th minute winner sent England to their first-ever final of a major tournament on foreign soil.

In doing so, Gareth Southgate’s men have now reached back to back Euros finals.

While that in itself is quite an achievement, they will be hoping for a different ending this time.

The Euro 2020 final of course ended in penalty shootout heartbreak at Wembley, but an opportunity to make history is around the corner.

England did it the hard way, again

For the third straight game, England did it the hard way, coming from behind to secure the win.

The game got off to a quick start as the Netherlands opened the scoring in the 7th minute.

Xavi Simons dispossessed Declan Rice in a dangerous position before unleashing a vicious strike from the edge of the box that flew past Jordan Pickford.

England was only behind for 11 minutes though, thanks to a dubious penalty decision.

Harry Kane sent a shot over the crossbar, but Denzel Dumfries caught him in the follow through in an attempt to block Kane’s effort.

The referee saw no foul, but after being told to review the incident, he awarded England a spot kick.

Kane tucked it away in emphatic fashion, leveling the score at 1-1.

A couple of near-moments for both sides followed, all within a 10-minute span.

Phil Foden was denied on the goal line by Dumfries following some incredible footwork, and was unlucky to then hit the outside of the top-left post with a curling shot from distance.

In between Foden’s chances, Denzel Dumfries came close himself when he hit the crossbar with a header from a set piece.

England played brilliantly in the first half, but it ended 1-1 at the break.

An emotional rollercoaster of a second half

The Netherlands stepped up in the second period, managing to muster more shots (4) than England (2).

It was England, though, who once again saw themselves come closest to scoring.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Phil Foden played Kyle Walker through on the right flank.

Walker then did well to find Bukayo Saka, the hero from the quarter-final win against Switzerland.

Saka applied a beautiful first-time finish to find the back of the net, but the linesman quickly ruled it out for offside.

Ollie Watkins the supersub

Immediately after the Saka goal was ruled offside, Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins entered the game.

It took them just 10 minutes to link up for a breathtaking match-winner.

Cole Palmer played a perfectly-weighted pass to Ollie Watkins who was in the box, and the Brentford striker still had so much still to do.

He took just one touch to set himself up before unleashing a blinding strike across the keeper towards the far post, which nestled directly into the side netting.

Mad celebrations ensued, and within minutes the final whistle blew.

Gareth Southgate made the difference

Beyond making the substitutions that won the game, Gareth Southgate’s shift in gears has been instrumental to England reaching the final.

The Three Lions were extremely underwhelming in the group stage, and the general consensus was that something had to change if they were to go all the way.

Southgate did just that against Switzerland, changing to a back-three setup with Bukayo Saka and Kieran Trippier playing as wing-backs.

The new system resulted in an improved performance, and that form continued against the Netherlands.

As thrilling as it is to reach another final, England will now face off against Spain, who will be the favourites on Sunday.

They have comfortably been the best team in the tournament, and England will be wary of the threat that they pose in attack.

The Spaniards will see more possession on the night, but they are vulnerable on the counterattack.

If England play their cards right, football could finally, finally, be coming home.