PLAYER RATINGS: Which England star set the tone from the off? Who looked tired AGAIN? And which youngster could Netherlands simply not live with?
England secured a place in the first major tournament final on foreign soil in the country’s history thanks to a moment of magic from Ollie Watkins, who secured a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday evening.
Gareth Southgate’s side were in trouble inside the opening seven minutes when Xavi Simons caught the Three Lions asleep and fired a curling rocket past the leaping grasp of Jordan Pickford.
However, it took England just 11 minutes to level the score after Harry Kane took a penalty he could not miss.
Despite the good moments in the second half, England continued to push for the decisive goal. But with the arrival of Watkins and assist provider Cole Palmer, England could start celebrating on the stroke of 90 minutes.
Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE looks at who shone and who needs to do better in preparation for the team’s historic final on Sunday night.
Ollie Watkins helped England secure a place at Euro 2024 on Sunday when he came on as a super substitute
The Three Lions will play their first ever final of a major tournament on foreign soil in Berlin
It was the Dutch who struck first in Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion, but left disappointed
England
Jordan Pickford 6.5
Hard to blame him for Simons’ goal, it was so powerful. A great save at 1-1 by Van Dijk and a shot on goal shortly after when the Netherlands were putting pressure on. They were very important moments to think about.
Kyle Walker 5.5
Gave Simons a pass and allowed a shot on goal – he should have been less static. Doesn’t feel a threat as a centre-back and was lucky when Pickford saved him after Van Dijk had beaten him with a bouncing ball in the second half.
John Stones 7
His best game of the tournament and for the first time he seemed to step into the domain of No. 6 and take the ball. The back line was well mobilised as they tackled the period of Dutch control in the second half. More of this will be needed in the final.
Jordan Pickford is one of England’s most consistent players but has been surpassed by Xavi Simons
John Stones produced his best performance of the tournament so far as he stepped up and took control of the Dutch in the second half
Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi (left) returned to the team after missing the quarter-finals
Marc Guehi7
It looked like he would struggle early on as Depay and Gakpo made diagonal runs through the middle, but it was a seamless return to the side after that and he picked up some steady form.
Bukayo Saka 8
Set the tone from the start, and picked up the quarter-final performance. His sharp run led to a penalty and his enthusiasm quickly spread to others. Not such an impactful second half, but kept going in the wing-back role and his work rate was commendable.
Kobbie Mainoo 8.5
Sensational first half. Flicks, tricks, drive, imagination – Holland couldn’t live with him. His run to set up Foden for a big chance was typical of his fearlessness. Not so involved after the break, but kept running and running and never hiding. England’s best. At 19, what a star!
Bukayo Saka was unlucky to have a goal disallowed for offside, which could have decided the equaliser
Kobbie Mainoo (right) produced another dominant performance in the England midfield
Declan Rice 7.5
Taken out of the game for the opener when robbed by scorer Simons, but recovered well, as if motivated by a mistake. The Netherlands brought on another midfielder before half-time and it was evidence of the England engine room – anchored authoritatively by Rice – dominating their domain. His best performance here by far.
Kieran Trippier 6.5
Gave a typically honest 45 minutes and got into good positions high down the left. Handicapped on the final delivery as it is not his favoured side but cannot be faulted for effort and commitment.
Phil Foden 7.5
Unrecognizable first half, and that’s a compliment. Finally showing up at these Euros. Came three times so close to scoring before half time and looked like a man with a point to prove. But like the team, he faded in the second half and his withdrawal was justified.
Phil Foden was also unlucky as his effort was saved on the goal line at the last moment
Jude Bellingham 6.5
Better because he saw more of the ball, but still not the talisman in the general game. He was beaten in the air when Dumfries headed against the bar. Looks tired because he has all the Euros.
Harry Kane6
A cool penalty, but still not his best. Again, he was absent from the box at key moments – particularly before Saka’s pull-back early in the second half – and although he used the ball well, it all came from too far. The forward line looked more dynamic when he got off.
Jude Bellingham did not look very good during this tournament and was not one of the strongest players on the team.
England captain Harry Kane was criticised but was unnerved from the penalty spot
Substitutes
Luke Shaw (for Trippier 46) 5.5
This was a bigger ask at left wing-back than at centre-back, where he came on against Switzerland and didn’t quite look up to speed, which is understandable. The change didn’t really utilise the space on the right for the Netherlands.
Cole Palmer was brought on alongside Watkins and helped set up his crucial 90th-minute attack
Luke Shaw was unable to start the match but was brought off the bench for a cameo
Cole Palmer (for Foden 81) 7
Great chance at the end of the game but then passed for Watkins to score. He made the impact England needed – again!
Ollie Watkins (for Kane 81) 8
The hero! You thought his Euros would be over given Toney’s impact of late, but this is why Southgate brought him in, his willingness to run at the back 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 had ever played in the entire tournament. The performance faded but he made changes at the right time and what a difference they made. Had the courage to take Kane off and Watkins’ winner justified a huge decision.
Gareth Southgate showed his courage by swapping Kane for Watkins, making changes at the right time
Referee – Feliz Zwayer (GER) 4
What was he thinking when he gave England a penalty after being sent to the monitor? His original decision not to give it wasn’t even a foul, let alone a clear and obvious one! He gave Dumfries a yellow card for it, unfairly, but then missed what could have been a second yellow card for him. Strange decisions.
NED (4-3-3): To bridge 6.5; Dumfries 7The free 5.5Van Dijk 6.5Ake 5; Xavi Simons 6.5To shoot 5Reijnders 6; Grind 5 (Weghorst 46), Depay 6 (Veerman 35.5), Gakpo 5.5
Manager: Ronald Koeman 5