US Edition
Ollie Watkins scores one of the greatest goals in England history – and Gareth Southgate’s subs work
When finally it came in front of the great terrace of Oranje fans, on 89mins 59secs exactly, the game ebbing, it felt like a revelation – a bolt from nowhere from substitute Ollie Watkins who was facing away from goal one moment, and thundering in the winner the very next.
England are in the final of Euro 2024. The great despondency that hung over Gareth Southgate’s team’s progress in Germany seems to linger nonetheless, now uncertain of its purpose. This was a moment that stands comparison with the handful of miracles over 152 years of the national team that feel so relentlessly pored over as to be positively threadbare. Suddenly space is cleared for a new picture on the mantelpiece: Watkins’ feint, turn, hit – and history made.
The Watkins goal, with legs tiring all over the pitch, extra time in the air, came as England seemed to have allowed their best performance in the tournament to pass them by. They had dominated the first half and come from behind. This was Phil Foden’s best night for England, and the same might be said of Kobbie Mainoo. Bukayo Saka was once again arguably the tournament’s standout.
Now a first England tournament final outside of Wembley. A game against Spain, undoubtedly the popular favourites here in Germany, and the team with the best record in the tournament albeit not quite the 2010 edition. A little short of the great passing machine that, between 2008 and 2012, won three major tournaments by simply refusing to allow their opposition a meaningful role in the game. Asked whether his side were better against possession-hungry teams like Spain, Southgate joked: “We will have to get the ball off them first.”
This was Southgate in his usual humble and reflective mood. Later he would describe himself as “a kindred spirit” of the men and women in the England seats in the Westfalenstadion. “If I hadn’t been on the grass [as manager] I would have been celebrating like them,” he observed simply. A decent man has done it his way and the final has been reached with a fine performance at last. The right substitutions, at the right time and a winner no-one will ever forget.
The first half was peak Southgateism – a refined version of Gazball, a slick wet surface and a young England team with 60 per cent of the possession on the night, nudging it around a football nation as august as the Dutch. They had fallen behind to Xavi Simons’ early goal, pouncing on a stumble from Declan Rice, and yet that itself had felt out of keeping with the flavour of the evening. England were on top of it. This was the good stuff.
Foden’s touch was a thing of wonder. When he is in the groove, he holds the ball under a spell. Jude Bellingham seemed to follow him too and Saka was so dangerous that in the end the Dutch simply committed two to marshal him – often Cody Gakpo as well as Nathan Aké. That opened more space for Foden inside.
Southgate would say later that there was more going on than might have been obvious. Consistent team shape changing from Ronald Koeman who adapted the way in which his team built with the ball – which prompted a response from England and then another from the Dutch. With 10 minutes of the first half played Koeman made the first big move. Memphis Depay was hooked and an extra midfielder sent on. That was Joey Veerman, who immediately trotted over to Foden.
England had equalised with a Harry Kane penalty that Koeman disputed with some justification. The German referee Felix Zwayer was called over by his VAR for a second look after Denzel Dumfries connected with Kane just after the England captain had got his shot off in the box. Dumfries was booked too and the leniency he was shown later when dragging back Foden suggested that Zwayer was beginning to have regrets about the penalty decision.
Yet England were beguiling. When the orange shirts surrounded Saka, so Foden was free. He could open up his body onto that pass from the right and strike with his left as he did on 32 minutes, clipping the post.
He went around Bart Verbruggen later in the half and Dumfries got it off the line. This was compelling stuff. A territory grab, a range of passing options. Even Kieran Trippier materialising at times on the left, that great unoccupied England flank. Sometimes even overlapping past Bellingham’s elbow.
Trippier will be a doubt for the final, with a groin problem that he was playing in spite of. Southgate was already voicing concerns about the one fewer day that his squad have to prepare for Sunday in Berlin at the Olympic Stadium. There will be no training of the conventional kind in the next three days, he said, just recovery and gentle patterns of play. Southgate hinted that Kane had never quite recovered from the collision with Dumfries for the penalty. Luke Shaw replaced Trippier at half-time and the big question now is whether he starts on Sunday.
The substitutions. It was a long wait, by which time, on 80 minutes, England felt on the back foot. A fine challenge from Kyle Walker on Gakpo, a Saka goal fractionally offside.
Then Cole Palmer and Watkins arrived with much disquiet back home that it was Foden and not Bellingham substituted. Watkins would say later that he had told Palmer the latter would provide the assist and Watkins would score. “I manifested it,” he said, without a flicker of self-doubt.
The man who brought Arsenal’s title hopes crashing down at the Emirates in April. A good player – a Premier League goalscorer but how about the really big moments? In Watkins’ first few minutes, with his back to goal, Stefan De Vrij came through him. “That’s not really my game,” Watkins said later, “but running in behind – that’s my bread and butter.”
Palmer played him in down the right. De Vrij was behind Watkins – and he thought he had him and then, this fine Dutch defender was out the equation. A blink of the eye, a fraction of a second, a goal unrolling years and years of underachievement in a single beautiful moment. Berlin on Sunday, for England’s second European Championship final in three years and finally with a performance to give them the confidence this might be their day.
England 2 Netherlands 1 – as it happened
Player ratings
Matt Law and Tom Morgan run their rules:
England vs Netherlands player ratings: Mainoo stars but Kane fades.
Ronald Koeman gracious in defeat
[Did England deserve it?] First half, yes, second half, no, it was more 50:50. They created problems in the first half, we didn’t control how they played with Bellingham and Foden – we had to change midfield and then it was 50:50.
In the last 20-25 minutes, I thought our team was more fresh but they scored a great goal in final minute, that is football.
We maybe deserved extra time but we can be proud because we had a great tournament.
Southgate speaks to ITV
It has to be the best [performance away]. Another landmark. The way we played. It was a complicated game because they kept changing but I think we caused them problems all night The end is so special for the squad.
Sometimes it can work that way [substitutes make an impact]. The most important thing is everyone’s ready. You pick 11 and you disappoint 15. I’ve spent a lot of time with the players and their attitude has been exemplary.
Energy-wise we were losing some pressure. Ollie can press well and makes those tuns in behind. We thought it was a good moment to try.
We had Phil’s shot cleared off the line, the disallowed goal was inches. I think we deserved it.
We were fluid in formation, Bukayo did a brilliant job. I think that is as well as Phil’s played in an England shirt, he had a huge influence.
You look at the numbers, it was like we were playing away but not with the noise [our fans made].
Jude Bellingham talks to ITV
To be back here at the club that has helped me turn into the man and player I am is special. The most important thing is we have come out with the win. I am really grateful to Ollie because I am not sure I had another half an hour in me.
Our character is built from the first few games where we didn’t play well but we have come together and done the business.
These moments are great, it brings us closer together as a family and team. These moments make us all together and take us into the final. I am so happy for Ollile, he came on and took his opportunity. We are buzzing for him; you come here, miss your holidays and don’t play all the time like you do at your club, so you need the right mentality and he has it.
Congratulatory message from the King
The King has sent the below message to Gareth Southgate and all the England players and their support team:
My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the Uefa European Championship – and in sending our very best wishes for Sunday’s match.
If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!
Good luck, England.
Charles R
Harry Kane speaks
History made. Amazing achievement. I’m so proud of every single player and member of staff.
We’re a big team on being ready. It might be five minutes, one minute, but you can win us the tournament. Ollie was outstanding. I’m so happy for him.
I think we were the better team, especially in the first half. We deserved to win.
[Was it a penalty?] My foot’s hanging off, he definitely caught me. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. I was pleased to step up and score.
There’s a feeling there’s one more left and we need to get that one on Sunday.
One more game to make history, 90 minutes, extra-time, penalties, whatever it takes.
Man of the match* Ollie Watkins speaks to ITV
Unbelievable. I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. I’m grateful that I got the opportunity and grabbed it with both hands. I swear on my life, my kids’ lives that I said to Cole Palmer before the game that we’re going to go on tonight and you’re going to set me up to score.
There’s been a lot of criticism but we’re in the final. Forget all the outside noise, we’re in the final and that’s all that matters.
We’be got that bounce-back factor after going behind when we kick into gear.
Yeah, I’m ready [for Spain]
* Yes, the official man of the match.
Gareth Southgate’s tournament record
Is now 4th place, runners-up, quarter-finalist and, at worst, finalist.
He is a picture of happiness, hugging his staff, hugging his players. Positively beaming. The weight has lifted.
He delayed the subs which exasperated almost everyone and yet they both combined with enough time left to prove decisive.
What if, as Arsenal fans once said of George Graham and Arsène Wenger …
Gareth knows
90+1 min: Netherlands 1 England 2
A minute before he scored Watkins missed connecting with Shaw’s excellent cross by six inches and Palmer wafted his shot high and wide into the crowd. But then the two subs combined to seize the initiative. Amazing scenes.
Two minutes more. A raft of subs, including Gallagher for Mainoo and Konsa for Saka.
It’s bedlam here. The England fans are going absolutely crazy, the ‘Orange Wall’ is completely stunned, and someone has set off a red flare right in front of us. Could England really be about to make history and reach their first final on foreign soil?
81 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
Watkins ⇢ Kane
Palmer ⇢ Foden.
That’s Saka’s second ‘offside goal’ of the tournament.
That is England’s second criminal offside of the tournament, albeit not as bad as Foden’s against Slovakia. Why are players not looking along the line when they make their runs? Walker still would have been in even if he had checked his stride slightly.
No goal
Walker was offside when he first received the ball by a hair’s breadth, squared it to Saka who then buried the cut-back.
Once again we see the speed and accuracy of the semi-automated offside decision. England goal ruled out and accepted. We will see it in the Premier League towards the end of the year. It has been slow to adopt this system.
72 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
Bellingham is booked for a late sliding challenge, De Vrij having beaten him to it is clattered on the shin by Bellingham’s right boot.
This is the root of fan frustration with Southgate. It is probably clear to everyone watching that England need to make a change, particularly up front. Kane had a reasonable first half but he has looked completely shot after the break and is hampering the team’s efforts to get up the pitch. But still Southgate persists – you fear until England fall behind again.
68 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
The slow-slow-quick-quick-slow Dutch are starting to have one of their quick-quick phases and Gakpo arrows a deep right-foot cross from the right that Pickford has to tip behind to stop it reaching Dumfries and Simon.
England are awarded a free-kick when the resulting corner has barely reached the box. The ref blew the whistle and Ake smacked a header goalwards that wouldn’t have counted had it beaten Pickford, which it didn’t.
64 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
Good save from Pickford, diving to his left. It came from a Dutch free-kick 40 yards out on the right. Veerman bent a cross in menacingly, an outswinger that was met by Van Dijk 12 yards out on the half-volley. It flew at Pickford but was quite close and he managed to push it wide.
Be honest, you would have taken penalties before the game, wouldn’t you? The way Netherlands have started this second half, it may be heading that way. They have got 10 men behind the ball and are showing no real ambition going forward. England might need something special to unlock them. Time for Cole Palmer, perhaps?
53 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
England’s switch in formation has brought Foden out to the left more persistently when he did all his best work in the forts half in the inside-right channel.
Rice loses the ball in midfield, Holland break and Mainoo again bails England out with a tracking run. Rice should have been booked for trying to stop the counter with a trip but the referee just verbally warns him instead.
51 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
Stones looks casual, too casual when he intercepts on the left side of defence, rides a foul as he runs horizontally and lays it off to Walker. I’m sure he was in control but there were a few hearts in mouths in the stands. One error and Simons would have been through on Pickford.
49 min: Netherlands 1 England 1
Saka is so elusive. Picked out by Rice’s ball over the top he diddles Ake at the byline on the right to lay the ball back to the penalty spot where only the Invisible Man was stationed. Kane was five yards further back.
Phil Foden’s on Fire has been sung for the last half-hour of the first half and all of this one so far.
Referee’s view
Both teams are playing positive attacking football
The referee is meeting the physical demands by maintaining close proximity to play, and he has demonstrated his willingness to keep the game flow positive by applying some good advantages.
His initial judgment on the incident involving Harry Kane that led to a penalty kick was sound. Then we had the incorrect intervention of VAR, in my opinion going against the ‘clear and obvious’ criteria.
We know that when the referee visits the pitchside monitor following a VAR intervention he will follow what appears to be a Uefa convention of agreeing with VAR.
England were very lucky to be awarded a penalty kick thanks to the VAR’s error.
Memories loom large
A long way to go but that might just have been England’s best performance in the first half of any of their semi-finals under Gareth Southgate. Other than the Netherlands goal, it has been completely one-sided and the Dutch are extremely fortunate to be level. Of course, memories of the 2018 World Cup semi-final – and probably the final of Euro 2020 – still loom large. England had the better of the first half of those matches and we all know what happened after the break.
15 min: Netherlands 1 England 0
Saka again is carrying England’s attack, sent down the right by Bellingham’s cute turn. He cuts in on to his left foot, feints to shoot, feints to shoot, keeps going and shoots into a thicket of shins. The ball pops up and Kane volleys it over but is hit by Dumfries. Penalty! After a VAR check.
13 min: Netherlands 1 England 0
Kane lets fly from 22 yards and Verbruggen bats it away. Didn’t connect properly.
The pitch doesn’t look the best quality. Declan Rice lost his footing for the goal. Phil Foden has slipped too. Definitely the kind of pitch where England’s attackers should try to commit defenders to making tackles.
10 min: Netherlands 1 England 0
England free-kick on the left, 25 yards out after a clash of heads between Bellingham and Schouten. Trippier and Foden stand over it. Foden takes and De Vrij heads it out.
Saka, for the second time, beats his man and drives towards the box where he is fouled 28 yards out.
England had started well and were looking in control. Then they were hit with a great strike. When you see it again, it’s brilliant from a Dutch perspective but Declan Rice should not be getting knocked off the ball in the build-up and Pickford has to save it.
7 min: Netherlands 0 England 0
Am I the only one who doesn’t get the point of England’s kick-off routine? I guess there was always the chance it might have caught out Serbia in the opening game. But surely opponents are expecting it now? Plus, the sight of the ball being passed right back to Jordan Pickford before being lumped forward doesn’t really do our reputation as a footballing nation any favours.
1 min: Netherlands 0 England 0
Smoke lingers above the Westfalenstadion as England kick-off, defending the Oranje Wall. They knock the ball back to Pickford who chips it long with his left nearly 70 yards but the Dutch win the duel and go long themselves. Dumfries knocking it long up the right for Malen who is wrongly adjudged offside.
Trippier is going to have a busy night.
Zwayer booed
A smattering of boos – mainly from the Netherlands fans funnily enough – when Felix Zwayer is announced as the referee and shown on the big screen. Zwayer’s appointment for this game has been one of the ‘talking points’ in the build-up, to put it mildly. Maybe Netherlands have history with him, too? Or maybe it’s just because he’s German.
Westfalenstadion waterfall
Looks like the rain is starting again in Dortmund.
Who does the stadium shower better? Thom Gibbs compared, contrasted and concluded.
Ronnie Koeman speaks to ITV
We knew we’d have big support in this tournament – it’s great for us, but the match will be decided between the white lines.
We need space in front and Malen is a player who goes deep; he’s fast. We want to get one-against-one on both sides against England’s full-backs.
Maybe England haven’t played to the level people in England expected, but the results are good, they are in the semi-final like us and they know they can play better.
It’s important for us to have good possession and get the right players between the lines. We need the wingers, and the full-backs. We need the perfect game.
1988 is a long time ago. In Holland we need another win…
Dutch designs
The Netherlands training top is a sight to behold. It looks like someone designed it using a decades-old version of Microsoft Paintbrush. It’s very “8-bit”, for you classic video game aficionados.
Outnumbered
It is almost unheard of for England fans to be outnumbered at a major championship but that is exactly how it feels here – and then some. There are orange shirts everywhere and they are already making a lot of noise, jeering Harry Kane and co loudly as they take to the field and cheering their own team to the rafters. England might as well be playing in Amsterdam.
Gareth Southgate speaks to ITV
We’re two games away from something very exciting. In the quarter-final we used the ball better, we were a lot more composed. We play a team who are another notch up from Switzerland, but who will maybe give us more space to play.
We’re quite flexible [in formation] in having Bukayo, who can play higher or lower. Ezri did a brilliant job for us but Marc has been exceptional. We’ve got Luke who’s close to starting games which is another boost for us.
We’ve felt the support in the last few days. If we’re united with our fans – and it’s felt like that in the last few days – it gives us a boost.
It might feel normal to be in a third semi-final but that’s not the reality. You have to grab your opportunity and give your best.
Carra’s view on the starting XI
The team is as expected but the question now is about what system Southgate plays. We’ve seen this team line up as a back four for most of the tournament. They changed to a back five last time out against the Swiss, but maybe the England manager wants to keep the Dutch guessing.
Oranje wall with a hint of white
The ‘Orange Wall’ Netherlands were given the chance to form at the Westfalenstadion, by virtue of being the nominal ‘home’ team, has already begun to fill up. The southern stand of Borussia Dortmund’s stadium is usually known as the ‘Yellow Wall’ when up to 25,000 of the club’s fans fill it for their matches. It is not quite that tonight, with a significant number of resourceful England supporters having also managed to get tickets in the section, too. Europe’s freestanding grandstand is nevertheless an awe-inspiring sight when you see it in person. The Football Association’s official allocation of tickets for the game were primarily for seats in the opposite northern stand.
It’s persisting it down in Dortmund and the roof is leaking again
The heavens have opened once again in Dortmund, Germany’s rainy city. The shower is not as heavy as we saw during the Germany v Denmark game here when a thunderstorm temporarily halted the game. Nevertheless, the Westfalenstadion waterfall is beginning to trickle again.
Declan Rice speaks to ITV
Ir’s a massive opportunity. It’s been a roller coaster opportunity this tournament so far but it’s an opportunity we’re relishing. It’s a big night for English football.
The line-up gives us stability. I’ve bee singing Kobbie’s praises. He’s been amazing. He loves to keep the ball, loves to pass the ball. It’s a privilege playing with him.
We’re ready. These are the moments you live for. In 15-20 years we’ll be looking back at days like this, wishing we could relive them. Let’s make the most of it.
Netherlands vs England lineups
Netherlands Verbruggen (Brighton); Dumfries, De Vrij (both Inter), Van Dijk (Liverpool), Ake (Man City); Schouten (PSV), Reijnders (Milan); Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Simons (RB Leipzig), Gakpo (Liverpool); Depay (Atlético).
England Pickford (Everton); Walker, Stones (both Man City), Guehi (Crystal Palace); Saka (Arsenal), Mainoo (Man Utd), Rice (Arsenal), Trippier (Newcastle); Foden (Man City), Bellingham (Real Madrid); Kane (Bayern Munich).
Referee Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Oranje invasion
There are some extraordinary aerial shots of the crowds of orange-dressed Dutch fans in the fan parks and central Dortmund. The city has been taken over. In the Dutch media it is being reported that local German police estimate the number of Dutch fans in Dortmund, based on the flow of people through the city, as 100,000. Those are just estimates. Even so it’s a huge number, the city itself has a population of just less than 600,000.
In the posh seats
Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, is on the VIP list for tonight’s semi-final. So too is former Manchester United CEO David Gill in his role with Uefa, and FA chair Debbie Hewitt.
On that note… England have a 100 per cent record in tournament semi-finals under a Labour government. They defeated Portugal 2-1 at the 1966 World Cup when Harold Wilson was Prime Minister. With the Conservatives it’s 33 per cent, losing under John Major and Theresa May but winning under Boris Johnson.
Dutch fans attack England supporters in bar before European Championship semi-final
Here’s the full report from Dortmund:
England fans have been attacked by Netherlands supporters before Wednesday night’s Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund.
Footage posted online showed what appeared to be Dutch supporters attacking their English counterparts at a restaurant and bar in the centre of the city, with punches, stools and glasses thrown, and tables overturned. A separate clip featured riot police appearing to drive back Netherlands fans outside a nearby homeware store.
At least 10 people were reportedly arrested, while several were also said to have been injured.
Swedes 2 Turnips 1
Was an outstanding headline for England’s elimination from Euro 1992 by the “Brolin … Dahlin … Brolin! Brilliant, brilliant goal”. But back in 1977, the Guardian’s great David Lacey coined the original version when Don Revie’s England were humiliatingly outclassed at Wembley in 1977. The magnificent Dutch forward line of Johnny Rep, Johan Cruyff and Robbie Rensenbrink mesmerised England’s defenders with their intelligent use of space and the 2-0 scoreline flattered the bedraggled home side.
The scorer of both goals, AZ’s Jan Peters, ghosted in from the right to finish moves orchestrated by Cruyff and put the ball past Ray Clemence twice in eight minutes. England were so inferior that Lacey suggested “Oranges and Lemons” would have been a more appropriate song for the disgruntled supporters to sing instead of the then habitual “What a load of rubbish”.
Good evening
Rob Bagchi here, reporting for duty for the duration of the blog. Tonight’s match is being shown on ITV which, as we have chronicled below, in the recent past has meant defeat is almost guaranteed for England. ITV had exclusive rights to the Iceland defeat in 2016, the Croatia defeat in 2018 and the France defeat in 2022 but they came up trumps in 2021 by broadcasting the semi-final victory over Denmark at Wembley.
And they also had the victory over Slovakia in the last 16. So, no more curse of ITV … apart from, of course, Sam Matterface.
English fans ‘attacked by Dutch supporters’
England fans have reportedly been targeted by Dutch supporters ahead of tonight’s semi-final clash in Dortmund.
Footage has emerged appearing to show a group of Dutch supporters targeting English counterparts at a local bar.
The video posted on social media appears to show English fans – who were situated at a local bar – being struck with chairs and fans dressed in orange attire throwing punches.
At this stage, Telegraph Sport cannot verify the footage.
From our man on the ground
The Dutch travelling support is so large that parts of Dortmund have been brought to a standstill by the sheer number of people from the Netherlands. Many of them have driven but the vast majority have come in on public transport.
There were traffic jams as huge crowds of orange-clad fans set off on foot from Dortmund’s city centre to Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion in the south of the city, walking along main roads.
Plenty of England fans have made the journey too but nothing like as many as the Dutch. The Oranje fans scaled lamp-posts and released orange smoke flares as they approached the stadium.
The only problem has been a downpour in the last hour which has seen many of them heading for cover.
Can England overcome the ITV curse?
If England are to reach the Euro 2024 final, they must overcome three perceived ‘curses’.
The first is that they have never won a knockout game except at Wembley against another major football power (Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Spain, France, Netherlands and Portugal).
The second is that they have never reached a final outside their home stadium.
The third is the so-called ‘curse of ITV’, which has seen England knocked out of tournaments almost exclusively in matches shown by the broadcaster.
That includes at every European Championship and World Cup for the past decade (albeit they shared coverage of the Euro 2020 final with the BBC).
If England are to win Euro 2024, they will have to overcome all three curses all over again.
Carragher speaking
Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher has been giving his predictions ahead of tonight’s match.
Speaking on Sky Sports:
I think England will just do it – it will be tight and I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes to penalties. England to go through on penalties.
Former England defender was surprised with Gareth Southgate’s comments that England have played with “fear” during their Euro 2024 campaign.
It [the criticism] does surprise me a little bit, but maybe that’s because of the expectation now after what has gone before. When I was playing, it felt like a quarter-final was par and semi-final was unbelievable achievement. It feels like a semi-final is par now and that’s credit to this group.
England draft in Ian Poulter for golf lessons
Ahead of the semi-final tonight, Ian Poulter visited Gareth Southgate’s squad this week for coaching and a team competition at their basecamp hotel.
Poulter, who was a key part of Europe’s famous 2012 comeback in Medinah, coached players on the driving range including Bukayo Saka, who was among those who were not regular players but happy to take advice from the five-time Ryder Cup winner.
Harry Kane plays off a three handicap and admitted he felt the pressure when he came out to practice. “Everyone is expecting me to wipe the floor with the lads. It’s not that easy,” said the England captain. However, the southerners won the challenge with Kane being their star player.
Harry Kane believes England have responded well to pressure
England captain spoke on Tuesday ahead of their semi-final showdown with the Dutch:
“The expectation has maybe been a little bit different from the start and maybe the noise has been a bit louder but I think we’ve all handled that really well,” said Kane.
“Some players will use it as motivation, some players will block it out.
“We’re leaning on a lot of experience, we’re leaning on being here before, even just the perception from other teams - when you’ve been in finals, semi-finals on a consistent basis that gives you a certain aura as a team that other nations look at.
“That’s down to our own work. We’ve built that up over past tournaments and now we’re in a situation where we deserve to be.”
Arise Sir Gareth?
Gareth Southgate is in line for a knighthood if England win the European Championship and receive one even if they do not.
Telegraph Sport has been told Southgate was close to being offered a knighthood after England within a penalty shoot-out of winning Euro 2020 in what was their first major final since 1966
Read more of Ben Rumsby’s exclusive story here: Southgate tipped for knighthood
Moment that saved England’s Euro 2024
Gareth Southgate can pinpoint the exact moment he realised his England team were playing with a “fearful” mindset which needed to be changed to turn around their European Championship.
His players had effectively sealed a place in the knockout stages with a point against Denmark in Frankfurt but were on their knees, exhausted and devastated after failing to win. The Danes, meanwhile, were jubilant with their point and celebrated wildly with their supporters.
After reaching the final of the last Euros and getting to a World Cup semi-final, the expectations have risen. But the by-product has been the pressure on England to win – and win well. Southgate’s decision was to hit the reset button with a team meeting before their final Group C game.
Read Mike McGrath’s full piece here.
Ronald Koeman calls it a ‘50-50’ game
Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman spoke to media agencies on Tuesday night after their normal news conference was cancelled due to travel issues.
“We know there is not a big difference between the two nations. It is really 50-50 in my opinion,” said Koeman. “We know we need to do the perfect game to win.
“We are prepared for both ways [England’s formation] to compete against them and we know they have a lot of individual qualities. Both teams are really strong and it will be a good fight.
“We are both experienced coaches, Gareth has much more years as a national coach. We played several times against each other.
Pickford looking to break more records
Should Jordan Pickford keep a clean sheet and make six or seven saves in tonight’s semi-final against the Netherlands, then the England goalkeeper will eclipse the save percentage of Spain legend Iker Casillas in the competition.
Pickford currently has a save rate of 85 per cent over the course of his 12 European Championship appearances, which is better than Gianluigi Buffon, Edwin van der Sar and Andreas Isaksson all achieved during their careers.
Read Matt Law’s full piece here.
How England can beat the Dutch
England face Netherlands in a major tournament for the first time since 1996 and their Euro 2024 semi-final appears eminently winnable.
The Dutch’s collection of attacking talent is certainly a step up in class from the forwards England have faced so far this summer, but Ronald Koeman’s team have also shown vulnerability.
Through a combination of their own performances and opponent’s tactical approaches, matches involving England have been among the dullest at the tournament but Wednesday night’s game should be different.
Only Germany and Spain have scored more goals than Netherlands, whose matches have produced an average of 1.8 goals per game, the third-highest in the tournament.
Netherlands rank sixth for possession at 55.09 per cent, and press more aggressively than England or France, allowing opponents 13.2 passes per defensive action.
They want to play, and an open contest could prove more to England’s liking.
Daniel Zeqiri analyses the five areas England can target tonight.
The scene for tonight
The cultural heart of the Ruhr region, Dortmund was predominantly known for coal, steel and beer but has evolved into a major tech hub.
Belonging to one of German football’s heavy-hitters, Borussia Dortmund, this venue is famed worldwide for ‘Die Gelbe Wand’ (The Yellow Wall), the single-tier south stand with a capacity to house up to 25,000 home supporters on matchdays.
The stadium is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, having been constructed for the 1974 Fifa World Cup in West Germany, and was where Liverpool dramatically won the 2001 Uefa Cup, defeating Spanish side Deportivo Alaves in a 5-4 thriller after extra-time.
This was also the scene of Italy’s extra-time victory over hosts Germany in the 2006 Fifa World Cup semi-final, and the second semi-final of this year’s Euros will be taking place here.
The man in the middle
German referee Felix Zwayer will oversee tonight’s match in Dortmund. Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have branded Uefa’s choice of referee for England’s semi-final against Netherlands “not a good look” after he was banned for his part in a match-fixing scandal.
The trio spoke out against the appointment of Zwayer, who also has history with Jude Bellingham after the midfielder was fined €40,000 (£33,000) for publicly raising the German’s past while playing for Borussia Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate has insisted he and his England players have no concerns over Zwayer as his team prepares for their Euro 2024 semi-final.
Luke Shaw poised to start on the bench tonight
Marc Guehi is set to be recalled for the semi-final against the Netherlands but Luke Shaw’s comeback from injury may continue from the bench.
Guehi was suspended for the victory against Switzerland in the quarter-finals after picking up two bookings but the England manager has been planning to face the Dutch with the Crystal Palace defender in a back three.
Here is a sample of what Telegraph readers have been saying ahead of tonight’s game.
- William Thomas: England need some pace on the left to take advantage of space left if Dumfries pushes up again. We simply have to pressure the Dutch into errors too and not let their midfield dictate matters.
- Tony Birtwistle: I cannot believe Southgate, again, if this happens. It is a semi-final and he isn’t going to start, with a player who simply must start in Shaw. The system on Saturday was miles better than anything we had seen previously (not great but better) and improved further when Shaw finally came on to balance the team. Oh no, Southgate believes in no threat down the left from Trippier, who effectively plays there on his own as no one even offers him support, and the Dutch can double mark Saka on the other side. Genius.
- Pete Wilcock: Disappointed Shaw not playing and had hoped Trent would have been on the right of a back 3. That would have opened up the attacking game while with three at the back and Rice in front we would be okay defensively. But here’s hoping for victory
- Frank Fahey: Unless he’s not 100 per cent then not playing Luke Shaw will be the biggest of Southgate’s many clangers this tournament. The boy takes England’s play to a different dimension. If Southgate is concerned about his fitness then start him and replace him on the hour.
‘We are backing them all the way’
England’s Euro 2022 winner Alessia Russo was speaking before the Lionesses Euro 2025 qualifier on Friday against Republic of Ireland.
“We’re backing them [England men] all the way, just like they would have done with us. We’ll be watching and cheering them on.
“They are all experienced players and know what it takes to win, the standards.
“For us in the Euros our bond as a team made us greater on the pitch.
“I know they’re doing everything they can to win the tournament. It was the biggest highlight of my career.”
Our writers’ England XIs
Should Gareth Southgate stick with Saturday’s winning XI? Does he start Luke Shaw? Should England play two up front?
All questions many will have thoughts over ahead of the England line-up dropping shortly before 7pm.
Telegraph Sport’s football writers have had their say, including Jason Burt who believes Ivan Toney should start alongside Harry Kane. Do you agree? Let us know in the comments section below.
Netherlands hit by travel chaos as Koeman press conference cancelled
Netherlands finally made it to Dortmund last night after being caught up in the travel chaos to engulf Euro 2024.
Ronald Koeman’s side were forced to cancel their pre-match press conference when their train from Wolfsburg was cancelled due to a blockage on the line, forcing them to scramble a night flight.
Speaking in a hastily-arranged video interview upon arriving in Dortmund, Koeman said: “It was not a problem. We had a good rest this afternoon, we were on the plane for just 30 minutes, arrived at our hotel and we can have a good rest tonight.”
He reported no injury concerns, proclaiming his side “physically strong” and suggesting England could end up suffering the effects from their quarter-final penalty-shootout win against Switzerland.
“England had to play extra time in their last game so maybe that could be a difference in the latter stages of the match. We are sharp, we are focused and we are looking forward to playing a good match against them.”
He added: “We know that there is really not much difference between the two teams, it’s really 50-50 in my opinion. But we will need the perfect game to win.
“We know they have a lot of individual qualities but both teams are really strong and it will be a good fight.”
An estimated 80,000 Netherlands fans are expected in Dortmund for the game and Koeman said: “Our country is close by. Let’s hope we can make them really happy by winning and going to the final on Sunday.”
In an earlier interview with Voetbal International, Koeman also appeared to rule out starting super-sub Woet Weghorst, who came off the bench to turn Netherlands’ own quarter-final against Turkey on its head.
“We were behind then, so you can expect to get the ball more often and that the opponent will fold back further,” he said amid calls for Weghorst to replace the misfiring Memphis Depay. “Then I can use Memphis as an attacking midfielder, because then you know that there will be crosses that Weghorst plays better than Memphis. But, of course, I did not say in advance for nothing that I always want to play with three specialist midfielders. Depay is not one of them. So, in principle, I will not start with those two. Because if we want to play with wingers, we will also have four attackers.”
He added: “I am still convinced that Memphis can play very well as a striker for us.”
Betting on the game?
England’s quest to win Euro 2024 faces its toughest test with a semi-final showdown with the Netherlands in Dortmund tonight. Back your predictions for the game with these Euros betting offers.
Will England reach successive European Championship finals?
Good morning, we are just under nine hours away from England facing the Netherlands today in their Euro 2024 semi-final, with the winner taking on Spain in the final on Sunday.
Telegraph Sport will bring you the latest build-up and team news from Germany as the fans start to gather ahead of the match at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate’s side will have their sights on a second successive Euro final but if victory at Euro 2024 is to be achieved, inspiration will likely be needed following a drab tournament so far.
The quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland, brought momentary euphoria for England fans, but it was more relief than redemption. After another lacklustre performance, Gareth Southgate’s side will require a transformation in attack to reach a third major tournament final.
“These are national events with huge pressure, with really young men in the middle of it. Our team has been under pressure from the start. They are doing so well. So well.” Southgate said.
We’re not able to score a load of goals at the moment. But again, we’ve played three teams that play back fives, very well organised defences.”
Marc Guehi is set to be recalled to the England team for tonight’s match but Luke Shaw’s comeback from injury may have to continue from the bench.
Guehi was suspended for the victory against Switzerland after picking up two bookings but Gareth Southgate has been planning to face the Dutch with the Crystal defender in a back three.
Tonight’s match, will be the fourth meeting between England and the Netherlands at a major tournament. The Dutch won 3-1 at Euro 1999, followed by a goalless draw at 1990 World Cup and a 4-1 win for England at Euro 1996.
Stick with us as we bring you all the build-up and the latest news from Germany.