The England national football team defeated the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the European Championship with a score of 2:1, securing a meeting with Spain, which had previously beaten France in the second semi-final.
The British snatched the victory in the last minute of regular time.
The England national team reaches the final of the European Championship for the second time in a row. At Euro 2020 (held in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic), the British lost to Italy in the final on penalties at London's Wembley Stadium.
A source: PA MEDIA
Unlike many of England's previous matches, which often ended goalless in regular time, this semi-final was tense.
The Netherlands national team opened the scoring in the sixth minute, when Javi Simons intercepted the ball from an England player and sent it into the goal with a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area.
In the 18th minute, the British equalized the score after a penalty kick, for which the referee used the VAR system. The referee confirmed that the Netherlands national team player really hit the leg of the English striker Harry Kane, who was shooting at the goal. The penalty was taken by Kane himself.
In the second half, the pace of the game dropped slightly, and the England national team did not create too many dangerous moments, demonstrating nondescript football, for which coach Gareth Southgate is often criticized. The Netherlands had a better chance of scoring a goal.
In the 78th minute, the British sent the ball into the net, but the goal was not counted due to the offside position.
England scored the decisive goal in the last minute of regular time. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who came on as a substitute, received an accurate pass, burst into the penalty area and shot past the goalkeeper into the goal.
After the match, British King Charles III sent a message from the royal family to Gareth Southgate and the entire national team:
"My wife, my family and I sincerely congratulate you on reaching the final of the European Championship and wish you all the best in Sunday's match.
If I could urge you to ensure victory before the miracle goals in the last minute or another penalty drama are needed, I am sure that the burden on the collective pulse and blood pressure of the nation would be greatly relieved!
Good luck, England.
Carl"
Source: bbc.com
