How Ollie Watkins sent England into the Euro 2024 final

Dumfries and involvement have never been strangers. The full-backs of 50 years ago might recognise him in the same way that an ancient Egyptian tablet carver might recognise an iPad.

Overlapper does not quite seem to describe what he does; ultralapper might be a better turn.

The 28-year-old is adventure made human, half-resembling the child hero of a Pixar film, half-resembling a Red Bull-sponsored extreme skier, tossing themselves down a mountain.

But after 15 minutes, Dumfries proceeded to toss himself into Kane. An England equaliser, and a Dumfries yellow card. Even by the Netherlands wing-back’s dynamic standards, his first half against England was busier than most.

As for the rest, this was the cliche of ‘a game that had everything’ within one player, within 30 minutes.

After just seven minutes, Declan Rice was pickpocketed by Xavi Simons — losing out on a 50-50 duel as the Dutchman nicked the ball away before thundering a finish past Jordan Pickford.

Most players might let their head drop after being caught out for a goal in the semi-final of a major tournament. Not Rice.

He shrugged off the disappointment and proceeded to have his best performance of the summer, with his front-foot passing setting the tone for England.

Naturally, given how much focus there was before the game on referee Felix Zwayer, the first half hinged on a hugely contentious decision.

Denzel Dumfries catching Kane was deemed a penalty, despite the Netherlands defender having little choice but to attempt a block.

Opprobrium will fall on Zwayer, but the German referee had little alternative. Before the competition, UEFA stressed that player safety would be an emphasis at Euro 2024 — meaning there would be special attention paid to any tackle made with a straight leg and with studs showing, particularly if that challenge was high.

Kane was labouring, but that was forgivable. He has laboured under England’s weight for a long time and in all-round play, this was his best performance of the competition.

Ivan Toney was the obvious substitute, fresh from his box-crashing against Slovakia and ice-cool penalty against Switzerland, but Southgate decided something else was needed.

Many of his gambits answered his critics — he got Foden involved, he brought on Cole Palmer, he found a system that worked, he was willing to change its shape.

But this is the change this game will be remembered for.

One more from Xavi Simons, as the Netherlands midfielder wraps up the Dutch mood after that desperate ending, speaking to UEFA:

💬 “It’s tough, this defeat. I’m really disappointed. The team is as well. But this is the start of a journey that’s going to be really bright. I’m proud of the team.

“Of course, you want to have the ball and have control of the game, but we know they are a good team and they want the ball as well.

“For most of the game we were compact, waiting for them to make a mistake. We had chances to finish them (off), but at the end we were a little bit tired.”

I tell you what. Kobbie Mainoo has gone from promising youngster to absolute midfield shoo-in for England — and yes, I did call that earlier in the year when he made his full England debut against Belgium at Wembley.

It’s on The Athletic FC Podcast and everything.

Here is the Manchester United player speaking after the game today:

💬 “I don’t think I have enough words. We’re all buzzing. What a way to do it! Ollie Watkins, what a finish. What a team performance overall. Everyone ran their legs into the ground against a tough opponent.

“It’s a dream come true. But when you step on the pitch, you have to put that aside and focus. You can’t get caught up in the bright lights. You just have to get your head down and do the job.

“We’re not here just to get to the final and call it quits. We’re here to win and etch our name into history.”

Today is a good day for England but thoughts will swiftly switch to Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.

Gareth Southgate have confirmed Kieran Trippier came off with an injury, although there have been no clues over how bad it is.

Harry Kane also appeared to suggest the kick he got in the first half for his penalty played a part in him coming off, although he may be fine too.

At least England avoided extra time on this occasion, but they will still get a day fewer than Spain to recover and prepare for the final.

You’re going to hear those few words a lot over the coming days, usually uttered with a wry smile.

The relationship is complicated and often misunderstood, coming so organically from a time and place of deep in the trenches of 1990s England.

So with tonight’s result, you should go read this excellent piece from Jack Pitt-Brooke on the phenomenon — and then you’ll be perfectly placed to use or abuse ‘It’s Coming Home’ yourself in time for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final.

For someone who gets stick from people for being cautious and perhaps a tad conservative, Gareth Southgate does a pretty good turn at passionate celebrations.

Jack Pitt-Brooke puts it pretty well here, from an England perspective...

We saw something incredibly rare today.

Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute winner — 89 minutes 59 seconds to be precise — is only the second 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie.

The other? That was when Philipp Lahm secured Germany’s 3-2 win over Turkey at Euro 2008 in their semi-final in Basel.

The heartbreak will come in the late nature of England’s goal, but sadly for Netherlands this is a familiar feeling.

They have now lost five of their six European Championship semi-final appearances, which is more than any other side.

And yes, that hurts.

If you haven’t been won over by the job Gareth Southgate has done, then you probably should’ve by now.

With England’s men reaching the final in two of his four major tournaments, that compares with their one appearance in 23 previous attempts at World Cups and Euros.

That was 1966 and their World Cup win, of course. Can they finally add a second title? We will find out on Sunday in Berlin.

Our subscribers write in…

William F: “Unbelievable substitutions by Southgate again!”

Alex C: “Politely, to every poster on The Athletic who has spent the last three weeks thinking they know better, take 5 seconds to hang your head. Two Euros finals in our history and Southgate got us to both. Now lift your head back up, put some respect on his name, enjoy it, AND BACK THE F***** BOYS!”

Matt M: “Respect Gareth. You were bold for once in substitutions and it f****** worked a treat.”

Chuka A: “What a game! A World Cup semi-final sandwiched between two Euro finals. Gareth, you strange man!”