Thank you for joining me – but mainly Rob – I will leave you with Barney Ronay.
Daniel Boffey went to see the fans.
Nick Ames has your player ratings.
Jonathan Wilson on Southgate’s masterclass.
Gary Neville was pleased Southgate made the big decision to bring Watkins on for captain Harry Kane.
Southgate has been criticised during the tournament for the timing of his substitutions while the form of Kane, and his continued place in the side, has also been a subject of debate.
Neville said: “We’ve questioned whether Gareth would make the substitution, get Harry Kane off in big moments. He’s gone and done it and it’s paid off big style.
“For me, we have got to trust him. He has delivered for us on many occasions. He has had a tough ride these last few weeks but they have got over the line.
“Over the years England have been called naive when they’ve played well and lost, but this team do whatever it takes. To get over the line was absolutely amazing. It’s what England teams haven’t been able to do in the past.”
No shortage of banter tweets …
Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the G̶e̶r̶m̶a̶n̶s̶ English always win.
— German Embassy London (@GermanEmbassy) July 10, 2024
All the best for the final on Sunday, England! #EURO2024 https://t.co/NAi0gGWgoK
Gavin Brown in Italy says: “...And the commentary itself was a highlight, from the lovely pronunciation of all the names to the focus on tactics and strategy. They clearly enjoyed the game and the goals.
“The studio analysis of the penalty after the game was the best highlight for me. One guy said it was because of the studs contacting and rules were rules so he’d give it. One in the studio said if it was a penalty then eventually all we’ll see is “Calcio passivo” and threw his arms up in the air saying football was supposed to be physical. The third studio guy said he thought it should have been given as it was too physical and all hell broke loose. As is tradition for Italian TV the host was a lady who was just there to look nice and she started shouting “Everyone let’s move on, we haven’t got all night”
“Brilliant stuff. Bring on Sunday!”
Virgil van Dijk is not happy with the referee.
"It says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and had no time to shake his hand."
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) July 10, 2024
A visibly emotional Virgil Van Dijk talks to @CarrieBrownTV after the controversial penalty decision!#EURO2024 | #beINEURO | #HomeofEuro | #LFC pic.twitter.com/B7333SOyC6
The Killers celebrated the win, too.
Well @thekillers just did the coolest thing ever on stage as England won the semi final...#ENGNED #ItsComingHome pic.twitter.com/96mw7l0Kum
— Tom Wells (@TomWellsLSF) July 10, 2024
In other news … the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will be at the final in Berlin on Sunday.
Updated
The King has congratulated the England men’s football team on reaching the final of Euro 2024 - but has urged them to avoid more last-minute drama.
In a message to Gareth Southgate’s side following the Three Lions’ 2-1 win against the Netherlands, Charles sent the players the royal family’s “very best wishes” and “warmest congratulations”.
But the King quipped about the recent drama endured by England fans, including a last-gasp equaliser in the second round against Slovakia and a penalty triumph against Switzerland in the quarter-final, asking them to watch out for the nation’s blood pressure in the final clash with Spain.
He said: “My wife and I join all our family in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the final of the U.E.F.A. 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.”
“Madness to hear all the haters for the “controversial” penalty decision,” emails Dom. “Studs up and missed the ball? Yeah.
“Meantime England had two goal-dependent decisions go against them. That’s football. The better team took the day.”
A generous decision, nonetheless.
Ronald Koeman. Did England deserve to win?: “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 minute, 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.”
Updated
My neighbours are Dutch. They seem to have been out all evening.
Gareth Southgate: “I think it has to be the best achievement. The way we played – it was a complicated game, we had to keep changing defensively. The end is so special for the squad.
“Sometimes subs can work that way, the most important thing is every member of the squad is ready to come into the game. I’ve spent a lot of time with the players and their attitude has been exemplary.
“We felt energy wise, we gelt we were losing a bit of pressure. Ollie can press well and make those runs in behind.
“We also had Phil’s shot cleared off the line, a disallowed goal. We deserved it tonight.
“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 on the game.
“You look at the numbers, it was like we were playing away but not with the noise.”
Updated
“Luck trumps talent eh?” says Krishna. “The travesty will be complete if England wins on Sunday. Why not? Kane may get another penalty because a Spain player came within 20 yards.”
“Who writes Southgate’s scripts?” asks Gary Naylor. “James Graham, who is updating his West End play ‘Dear England’ for an Autumn run. He’s not going to be short of material.”
Jude Bellingham: “It’s got to be up there. 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.
“The character is build 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.
“It will be interesting to go toe-to-toe with Spain.”
Updated
Karen Carney: “The fans have been absolutely brilliant. England were brilliant. First half, dominated, the midfield dominated. I never wanted an Aston Villa player to score more in my life. Every player has had their moment, so it’s been a brilliant evening.”
Harry Kane: “History made. Amazing achievement, I am so proud of every payer and staff, it’s been a really difficult tournament. There is one more left and we need to turn up on Sunday. Ollie has been waiting and patient, and what a finish. I think we were the better team, especially in the first half. We deserved to win overall. My foot is hanging off, so he definitely caught me. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t. I was pleased to step up and score.
“We have one more game to make history, 90 minutes, penalties, whatever it takes.”
Updated
Will Southgate have a decision to make over who starts upfront in the final? I suspect he will keep it the same because I think Watkins is a better sub to have off the bench than Kane if the situation is similar to tonight.
Like Ollie Watkins, Jacob Steinberg kept his cool in Dortmund to file his report.
Ollie Watkins: “Unbelievable, I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get where I am today. I swear on my kids’ lives that I told Cole ‘we are going to come on today, and you are going to set me up’.
“We are in the final and that is all that matters. We are ready for Spain.”
“Southgate is ten years younger, maybe,” writes Simon McMahon, “but does he have a flare up his arse yet?”
Mainoo is decent. Maybe he’s even better in that position than Gallagher.
Kobbie Mainoo vs. the Netherlands:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 10, 2024
51 touches
36 passes completed
2 chances created
100% long balls completed
100% duels won
2 interceptions
2 tackles
💎💎 pic.twitter.com/LNSYFbA97s
I’m going to hand over to Will Unwin for the reaction and have a peedie screen break. Thanks for your company tonight; sorry I didn’t have time to read half the emails, never mind use them!
Updated
England have come from behind in all three knockout ties, the first time they’ve ever done that at a major tournament.
They still aren’t playing fantasy football, although they were very good in the first half. But nothing – not even the performance of Pep Guardiola’s dreams, with 99 per cent possession – compares to the euphoria of comebacks and late winners.
Updated
Gareth Southgate is 10 years younger. He’s walking round with the kind of smile you couldn’t fake if you tried, playfully shadow-boxing one of the backroom staff.
Ollie Watkins looks slightly stunned. Whatever happens on Sunday, his life will never quite be the same after that. That’s his David Platt moment, except Watkins did it in a semi-final. And like Platt against Belgium, it was the finish of an expert, a cold-blooded killer.
HAS OLLIE WATKINS WON IT FOR ENGLAND?! 🏴🏴🏴
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
ASTON VILLA'S OLLIE WATKINS IS A SUPERSTAR SHOOTER! 🤩🎯#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/67Zpbwg6QQ
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“That Watkins goal was pure Jimmy Greaves,” says Kim Thonger. “The best ever.”
That’s a brilliant comparison, and quite the compliment.
Updated
Full time: Netherlands 1-2 England
For the first time ever – ever – England will play a major tournament final outside their own country. And they did it the hard way, with maximum drama, just as they have all tournament.
90+5 min There were only two added minutes but that was before the goals and the substitutions.
90+4 min Who writes Gareth Southgate’s scripts? All the criticism of his passivity, and the two substitutes combine for the winning goal.
90+3 min: Substitutions galore
England Ezri Konsa and Conor Gallagher for Saka and Mainoo.
Netherlands Joshua Zirkzee and Brian Brobbey for Simons and Dumfries.
I don’t care about the revised line-ups.
90+2 min Simons is booked. Both teams are about to make subs.
England are on the brink of the Euro 2024 final after a wonderful finish from Ollie Watkins! Palmer, on the right, guided a good but simple pass into Watkins in the area. He had his back to goal, with De Vrij right behind him, and the angle was getting tighter with every stride. Watkins took a quick touch to his left, turned and rifled a stunning low shot into the far corner.
The angle was really tight – too tight really, what are you doing man – but Watkins nailed it. It went through the legs of De Vrij, which made it even harder for Verbruggen, but it was hit with such pace and precision that I’m not sure he’d have saved it anyway.
Updated
GOAL! Netherlands 1-2 England (Watkins 90)
OLLIE WATKINS HAS JUST BECOME A NATIONAL HERO!
Updated
88 min Shaw kills a crossfield pass beautifully and arrows a low cross that evades Watkins in the middle. The ball reaches Palmer, who wafts high and wide from the edge of the area.
87 min Hard to know what to make of this game. England were so good for half an hour, everything their fans want them to be, but the second half has been a bit of a non-event. They are a few minutes away from a third successive period of extra-time.
Updated
86 min The free-kick is further out than I realised – too far for a shot, maybe even for Ronald Koeman.
Veerman clips an excellent ball that is headed behind by Stones for… a goalkick. Van Dijk is booked for dissent.
Updated
85 min Simons leads another dangerous break and sweeps the ball across the field to Gakpo, who is tripped 25 yards from goal by Saka. The free-kick is a fair way to the left of centre, but it’s still a chance. Ronald Koeman would have scored from here…
Saka was booked by the way.
84 min Brillant move from the Dutch, staraight through the England press. Reijnders breaks into space on the left and crosses towards Weghorst, whose shot is superbly blocked by the off balance Guehi!
82 min Tense, nervous headache? Aye.
81 min These are the revised line-ups.
Netherlands (4-3-3) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Veerman, Reijnders; Simons, Weghorst, Gakpo.
England (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Palmer, Bellingham; Watkins.
80 min: Double substitution for England Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer replace a weary Harry Kane and Phil Foden.
Foden was terrific – a lot better than Bellingham, who is being kept on for his aura.
NO GOAL! The semi-automated offside confirms that Walker was a toenail ahead of the defence. It would have been a lovely team goal.
Semi-automated offside check! Foden played in the overlapping Walker, whose precise cutback was finished emphatically – nay, majestically by Saka. The flag went up, presumably against Walker, but it’s very tight.
Updated
79 min: Saka has a goal disallowed!
Updated
78 min: Chance for Netherlands A cross from the left is headed away to Simons on the edge of the area. He mishits a volley into the ground that kicks up and is saved comfortably by Pickford.
77 min “I’m at a restaurant where a band will start playing in 30 minutes,” says Beau Dure. “For the sake of the England supporters at the bar, I hope this doesn’t go to extra time. The stress level could go beyond maximum.”
Please tell me the band is Doop.
77 min The Netherlands pass the ball around for 60 seconds or so before a cross is headed away by Rice. They haven’t been to extra-time at all, never mind twice, so they might fancy their chances of outlasting England. Then again, both teams can make six substitutions if it goes to extra time.
74 min Verbruggen’s kick is chested down marvellously by Weghorst, who was being manhandled by Guehi, towards Simons. He slips an angled pass towards Gakpo, forcing Walker to make a brilliant last-ditch tackle. Gakpo tried to lift the ball over the sliding Walker; had he done so he’d have been through on goal.
74 min Saka is caught by a flailing arm from Ake and goes down. The referee gives nothing, although it would have been a free-kick at most.
73 min “Gakpo scoring a winner past Pickford would be a Merseyside derby treat for the Reds among the Oranje,” honks Peter Oh.
72 min Bellingham is boked by his old friend Felix Zwayer. He should have no complaints; he was late, even though he was attempting to play the ball.
Bellingham has been quiet since half-time and I suspect that challenge was born of frustration.
70 min Not for the first time time England are 1-1 in a semi-final with 20 minutes of normal time to play, and there isn’t a dry fingernail in the house.
Updated
69 min It’s worth saying that the much maligned, sometimes scandalously ridiculed Wout Weghorst has made a difference since coming on. His ability to hold the ball up has allowed the Dutch to get out, something they really struggled to do for much of the first half.
68 min Gakpo’s dangerous deep cross is punched behind by Pickford, who had to play safe with players coming in behind him.
Netherlands are slowly getting on top and it might be time for Gareth Southgate to make a change or two. I’d like to get Cole Palmer on, but who do you take off at this stage? Foden was brilliant in the first half, Bellingham is Bellingham.
67 min “Xavi Simons is a hell of a player,” says Paul Cockburn, “but he outscores Ronaldo for resting sulk face.”
65 min: Good save by Pickford! Free-kick to the Netherlands, 40 yards out on the right. Veerman curls a glorious ball that bounces up at the far post towards Van Dijk, whose instinctive shot is pushed away by the diving Pickford.
I thought it was a Van Dijk shot but it may have deflected off the challenge Walker. Either way, Pickford did well.
The resulting corner is headed over at the near post by Dumfries. A quarter of a chance.
Updated
63 min England have lost their way since half time. The subtle mood changes in these games are fascinating; you can see the Netherlands players slowly twigging that this is now an even game again.
62 min “Hubris invites us already to be thinking about how this England would cope against Spain – but it wouldn’t be this England, would it?” says Charles Antaki. “You won’t see Spain giving the ball away so much leaving a vacuum in midfield. As ever in an equation with two unknowns, we don’t know how much the score is a product of a lot of X or very little of Y.”
That’s an excellent point. If England get to the final they will have 40 per cent possession at most, certainly in the first half. Who knows, that might suit them after a tournament of low-block frustration.
61 min Schouten’s cross is too deep for Weghorst and Gakpo. Netherlands are having one or two attacks, though. England may be leading 1-1, but it’s still 1-1!
59 min Foden’s two near misses came before the introduction of Veerman, so maybe that injury to Depay was a blessing in disguise. Even so, Ronald Koeman deserves credit for having the courage to make a defensive change. At the moment the Netherlands look relatively comfortable, or at least less uncomfortable than they did when England were threateningt to run riot in the first half.
57 min No shots at either end since half-time. While England are still dominating – they’ve had 70 per cent possession – they aren’t playing with quite the same urgency. Don’t make them go behind again; I’m not sure the nation could take it.
Updated
56 min “Hi Rob,” says Dan Christmas. “At risk of sounding like the sheriff in a cowboy movie, I think Rusty Shaw could be a problem.”
Arf. He was great against Switzerland, although he’s probably glad the speedy Malen has gone off.
54 min The stiffening of the midfield has helped the Netherlands a little, though they are still being pinned back. Reijnders leads a promising break, walking away from Rice in the centre circle. Rice tries to pull him back and fails. The move eventually peters out and the referee gives Rice a warning rather than a yellow card. He’s lucky.
Updated
52 min “I remember you saying on previous Nessun Dorma podcasts you don’t follow England as much as you did in the 90s,” says Nick Parmenter. “Does this Southgate team change your feelings on it?”
They have a bit, particularly Southgate himself, but I’m essentially neutral. At least I think I am. It’s complicated, though, and this probably isn’t the time for my life story.
50 min Incidentally, that deadweight Harry Kane is now joint top-scorer, although he’s two assists behind Dani Olmo in the Golden Boot race.
In other news, how good is Dani Olmo? The brain is the biggest erogenous zone, especially when you’re in the opposition’s penalty area. His goal last night, understandably overshadowed by the kid, was a thing of quick-witted beauty.
49 min A fairly quiet start to the second half, though England are on the front foot once more. Saka gets to the byline and cuts the ball back into a good area; there’s nobody there in a white shirt.
47 min Thanks for all the emails, of which I’ve only had chance to read about half. It’s not you, it’s me.
47 min “Is it my imagination or are England playing total football with positions being largely notional?” wonders Zafar Sobhan. “Foden is everywhere and we just saw Walker in midfield dink it out to Kane on the right wing.”
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. On Sunday they’ll play tiki-taka, and you just wait till they come up against John Beck’s Cambridge.
46 min Weghorst leaves a bit on Stones, who looks at him quizically and asks, ‘What you doing?’
No idea what the response was, if there was one.
46 min The Netherlands begin the second half. These are the revised line-ups.
Netherlands (4-3-3) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Veerman, Reijnders; Simons, Weghorst, Gakpo.
England (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.
Half-time substitutions
Both teams are making one apiece.
Netherlands Wout Weghorst for Donyell Malen.
England Luke Shaw for Kieran Trippier.
Arise Sir Kobbie
He’s barely 19 you know. Young enough to be Lamine Yamal’s bully.
Kobbie Mainoo has been almost perfect in the first half Vs. the Netherlands:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 10, 2024
100% duels won
100% tackles won
2 interceptions
25 passes completed
1 key pass
Unfazed by the occasion. 📈 pic.twitter.com/RfXxsgPJBt
Updated
Luke Shaw is warming up and could be coming on as early as half-time.
“I’m really hoping this game will help me recover after watching mighty Canada fall to underdogs Argentina last night, denied another Copa America final,” says Liz White. “C’mon England!”
I thought they had a chance last night as well.
The ITV verdict on the penalty
Gary Neville “An absolute disgrace”
Ian Wright “It’s reckless. It’s soft but penalties are given for that.”
Updated
Simons’ goal We’re watching replays. I didn’t realise at the time that Pickford got a slight touch on the shot. I guess it beat him for pace, because boy did it have pace.
Updated
Spot of the Day, by Andy Flintoff
“England’s tournament this time has been a bit like 1990 - top of the group with one win and two draws (scoring two goals, conceding one); scoring in the last minute in the second round and only squeezing through the quarter final via penalties (Lineker’s pair in 1990 and the shootout this year).
“England have even had the misfiring no. 11 (the current FWA Footballer of the Year - Barnes in 1990 and Foden this year), and a switch to three at the back. It’s not an exact parallel, but it only needs a good performance and a loss in a shootout for the similarities to continue.”
I love parallels like this. Pig in chardonnay stuff.
“In this tournament England have only really started playing once we’ve gone a goal down,” says Lenny in Valencia. “So let’s thank the Dutch for scoring so early!”
That’s a very good point, although it took them a while to realise they were a goal down to Slovakia.
Half time: Netherlands 1-1 England
Performances or results? England have finally delivered the former, so much so that it’s easy to forget they’re still level. Xavi Simons lasered the Netherlands ahead with a marvellous goal after robbing Declan Rice. England responded like a defiled wasp’s nest: Harry Kane had two good efforts and then equalised with a highly debatable penalty.
England played some great stuff after thar. Phil Foden was denied by a great goalline clearance from Denzel Dumfries and hit the post from 25 yards. The Netherlands almost did a lot with a little when, from a rare corner, Dumfries headed against the cross. They also lost the influential Memphis Depay to injury, though that at least allowed Ronald Koeman to add another body to a midfield that was being overrun.
It was a terrific first half for the neutral, playing with enviable pace and intensity. England look fresher than they have throughout the tournament.
Updated
45+3 min A bit of scare for England. Ake does very well to keep the ball in play on the byline, but then his header on from Veerman’s cross is too heavy.
45+1 min Three added minutes.
45 min Saka and Bellingham combine well to release Trippier, whose left-foot cross is too close to Verbruggen.
In that famous 4-1 at Wembley, when David Seaman made a brilliant save from Dennis Bergkamp in about the 44th minute, the great Barry Davies said: ‘England really need half-time here.’
Right now, the Netherlands really, really, really, really need half-time.
44 min The Netherlands have spent much of the last 30 minutes in their own half. Ronald Koeman might have to make another change at half-time, but there’s no point bringing big Wout on unless they are going to have more of the ball. Not sure what else he can do.
42 min “Re: Matt Dony’s increased sobriety compared to eight years ago,” says John Davis, “I was on a sabbatical teaching in Nepal back then and headed into Kathmandu on each Thursday to watch the Euros in Tom and Jerry’s for a long weekend. I’m definitely more sober this time round.
“The week after Wales beat Belgium, I was playing football at lunch with the sixth formers at Kathmandu University High School. The ball came to me, I somehow Cruyff-turned and rolled it in with my left foot to an instant shout from Nepali teenagers of ‘Robson-Kanu!’ The highlight of my sporting career.”
41 min Mainoo wins the ball in the final third – he’s done that a few times tonight – moves to the edge of the area and blasts a shot that is blocked by Ake.
Kobbie Mainoo makes the world a better place, pass it on.
39 min Mainoo, who is playing like a 32-year-old, threads a nice pass to Foden, who skids a low shot from 20 yards that is well held to his right by Verbruggen.
38 min “I don’t know how often Lee Dixon appears on UK TV but he’s a regular on the NBC Premier League broadcasts: far and away the best English-language co-commentator on TV,” says Joe Johnson. “There, I said it.”
Some people don’t like him, but I guess some people don’t like anyone. I think he’s very good, particularly on the nuts and bolts of defending. No surprise given that he and his mates at Arsenal basically perfected it.
37 min There’s a long way to go – hours, maybe days – but right now the Netherlands are struggling to live with England’s speed and penetration. This is probably the best they’ve played since the World Cup quarter-final against France.
35 min: Netherlands substitution This is really sad: Joey Veerman is coming on for the injured Memphis Depay. That means a switch to a tight 4-3-3, which the Netherlands need because they’re being overrun in midfield.
This is the revised line-up.
Netherlands (4-3-3) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Veerman, Reijnders; Simons, Malen, Gakpo.
And yes, I know I haven’t mentioned Gakpo at all. He’s been really quiet.
Updated
34 min Here’s Gary Naylor on the penalty. “If a goalkeeper does it, pundits say, ‘He goes for the ball and Kane just gets there first, so it’s a clear penalty.’ All. Day. Long.”
It doesn’t feel right to me, although I must confess I haven’t swotted up on the laws since about 1991.
33 min Depay is down and needs treatment. This is a worry for the Netherlands as I think it’s his hamstring.
32 min: Now Foden hits the post! It was a glorious effort, trademark Foden. He received a square ball 25 yards out on the half turn, moved infield and whipped a spectacular curler that beat Verbruggen and thumped off the outside of the post.
Foden is playing brilliantly in his new/old position as the right-sided No10. As Ally McCoist says on ITV, that was almost a replica of Lamine Yamal’s goal last night.
Updated
30 min: Dumfries hits the bar! What a night he’s had already. Walker makes a terrific block to divert Malen’s shot behind for a corner. It’s swung out towards Dumfries, 12 yards out, and he rams a header off the top of the crossbar.
This is fantastic.
Updated
29 min A terrific spot from Lee Dixon on ITV, who notices that Foden’s shot in the 23rd minute took a slight touch off the left leg off Verbruggen, without which Dumfries wouldn’t have been able to clear.
28 min England look full of energy, with Bellingham, Foden and Saka all playing as everyone hoped they would.
27 min Foden appealed for a foul a moment ago, and he would have been clear of the defence – albeit going away from goal. There’s so much happening that I missed the replays. We’re not talking Platt and Koeman though.
26 min “That deserved to be a penalty as much as Ronald Koeman deserved to stay on the pitch in 1993,” says Tom Atkins. “Karma sometimes takes a while.”
Somewhere in heaven, Ray Wilkins and is smiling. (NB: clip contains the liveliest possible language.)
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25 min England have been really good since going behind, and probably even better since the equaliser. The Netherlands can’t get out at the moment.
23 min: What a clearance from Dumfries! Oh my scenes! Mainoo strolls forward beautifully from midfield and slips a through pass to Foden in the area. He shows remarkable speed of thought and feet to take the ball away from a defender and Verbruggen in a phone box before sliding an early right-foot shot that is cleared off the line by Dumfries. That was so close – Dumfries was behind the line, the ball wasn’t.
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21 min England are passing with a pace and purpose that they haven’t shown since the first 20 minutes against Serbia. The atmosphere, which is just wonderful, is really helping the intensity of the game.
20 min “No one seems to agree with me, but I think that is a penalty,” says Dan Christmas. “It’s definitely given anywhere else on the pitch - don’t try and win the ball with your studs.”
I certainly appreciate that argument. I guess there are two questions:
Is it a penalty?
WhatdidBill Murray say to her at the end?Is it a clear and obvious error?
19 min Penalties like that are often given in the Premier League. I don’t know: I thought Kane’s kicking motion was as much a reason for the contact as Dumfries’s attempt to block the shot.
It is what it is, and it is 1-1.
That took courage, especially after the World Cup quarter-final miss. Kane stepped up and swept a fine penalty into the bottom-left corner. Verbruggen went the right way but the pace was good and the placement immaculate.
Updated
GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 England (Kane 18 pen)
Harry Kane equalises!
Updated
17 min Dumfries did lead with his studs but to me it’s a collision rather than a foul. “I don’t think it’s a penalty,” says Lee Dixon on ITV, “but I don’t care.”
Dumfries is booked.
Penalty to England! He’s given it!
VAR check for an England penalty! Hang on, England could be about to get a penalty for that collision between Kane and Dumfries. I think that’s harsh on Dumfries.
Updated
14 min: Chance for Kane! Saka cuts inside again, all the way across the area until his shot blocked. The loose ball bounces up to Kane, who can’t get quite over it and cracks it over the bar. A tough chance, and he followed through painfully into Dumfries. But Kane looks sharp, almost angry.
Updated
14 min This game has started superbly, almost as good as last night’s.
13 min Kane drops deep to receive, turns and hits a cracking strike from 30 yards. Verbruggen gets down smartly to his right to save.
12 min: Chance for England Foden’s free-kick is knocked back into six-yard box by Rice and cleared by a Dutch defender. The ITV pundits think Rice should have gone for goal head first.
12 min “My wife and I are fully prepared for tonight,” says Kim Thonger. “On the coffee table in front of our comfy chairs are:
TV remote control
Tissues (large box)
Blindfold x 2
Salted caramel truffles
Malbec & paper cups
Nerf gun x 2
Defibrillator
Gareth Southgate voodoo doll
A copy of the biography of Sir Alf Ramsey ‘Winning Isn’t Everything’
Ref’s whistle
Flag for calling offside
Yellow card
Red card
Cuddly toy.”
The Roachford song?
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11 min Saka, who has made a good start, wanders infield again and is fouled 35 yards from goal by Gakpo.
10 min Bellingham is caught around the eye, an accident but one that means he’ll need treatment.
9 min On ITV, Lee Dixon points out that England’s defence needed to close Simons down quicker. I think they were surprised to see Rice muscled off the ball by Simons. Rice then slipped, which meant he couldn’t recover, and the defence instinctively backpedalled. Simons punished them with a heatseeker he’ll remember forever.
An 𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 strike 🇳🇱
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
Xavi Simons brings pure Dutch delight to Dortmund! ⚽️#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/PNKwNbQcUr
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What a marvellous individual goal! Simons bullied Rice off the ball 35 yards from goal, moved to the edge of the area and arrowed a rising drive across Pickford. He had no chance. That’s a fantastic goal!
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GOAL! Netherlands 1-0 England (Simons 7)
England have never before come from behind to win three games at a major tournament. They’ll have to do that tonight because Xavi Simons has scored a stunning goal!
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6 min England are definitely playing 3-4-2-1, with Saka at right wing-back. He dispossesses Gakpo on the halfway line, plays a one-two with Kane and wanders all the way over to the other side of the field. The move peters out. Kane was fouled, I think, but the referee played an advantage.
5 min Saka’s no-backlift cross is headed away at the far post by De Vrij. The pace of play is good from both sides.
4 min Scratch that, a couple of players have just slipped and apparently the pitch is cutting up a little bit. England press high and are played through superbly. Eventually Simons angles a through pass towards Malen, but Walker and Guehi usher the ball back to Pickford.
3 min It’s dry at the moment in Dortmund and the pitch looks fine for now, though there’s every chance of more John Cusack weather later in the game.
2 min “Thanks to some broadcast rights machinations that I don’t fully understand, we had coverage of Italian football on Sgorio on Welsh-language tv from the late 80s,” writes our house Liverpool fan Matt Dony. “I remember falling in love with that classic AC Milan, and around about the age of 10 or 11, I just wanted to be Marco van Basten. That led to an obsession with playing as Holland on Sensible Soccer. And thus was born a lifelong soft-spot for the Netherlands. Now, with no dog in the fight, other loyalties have made my decision for me. It’s Van Dijk and Gakpo vs No Trent. Simple decision.”
You sound a lot more sober than you did eight years ago!
1 min Peep peep! England kick off from left to right as we watch.
“I think the Dutch have been a bit underrated at these Euros,” says Kári Tulinius. “Aside from Spain, they looked most able to unpick the French defence of all the teams that played Les Bleus, and generally the Oranje have looked unpredictable and organised going forward. To win a tournament, you need something to be clicking for you in attack. Even Greece had Zagorakis and Charisteas. As tight as the English have been at the back, it’ll be a challenge to keep Gakpo and company quiet this whole match.”
Gakpo v Walker feels like a key battle doesn’t it. It’ll also be interesting to see whether Guehi follows Depay when he drops deep. It wouldn’t surprise me if England pull a fast one and play 4-2-3-1.
Tense, nervous headache? Well you should have respected those screen time limits, shouldn’t you? Don’t worry, the game will distract you, and it’s about to begin. The atmosphere is a thing of beauty.
Shout out to this little legend 😂👋#Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/ACjOiShDBE
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
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“This feels like a second-play playoff,” writes David Howell. “Spain are so comically obviously the best team at this tournament that it seems absurd that either of these teams should even be allowed to steal the trophy from them.
“On the other hand, I had that same feeling in 2016 with the Portugal-Wales semi-final, and look how that final went. That, to me, was an even bigger upset than Greece in 2004 – a one-man band who lost their one man beating the best team in the world in their own backyard – and I don’t think the Dutch beating Spain on Sunday would be far off. (And it will be the Dutch, because ITV Curse.)“
A reminder of the teams as they take the field
Netherlands (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Depay.
Substitutes: Geertruida, de Ligt, Wijnaldum, Weghorst, Frimpong, Bijlow, Van de Ven, Veerman, Blind, Brobbey, Maatsen, Zirkzee, Flekken, Bergwijn, Gravenberch.
England (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.
Substitutes: Shaw, Alexander-Arnold, Ramsdale, Konsa, Dunk, Gallagher, Toney, Gordon, Watkins, Bowen, Eze, Gomez, Henderson, Palmer, Wharton.
Referee Felix Zwayer (Germany).
“Whenever there’s talk of golden generations, I’m prone to recalling the Scottish side of my schooldays,” says Geoff Wignall. “Some of the names might not resonate much with you young folk, but they had the likes of Tommy Gemmell and John Neill in defence, Dave Mackay, Jim Baxter, Billy Bremner and Pat Crerand for the midfield, Jimmy Johnstone and Charlie Cooke for the wings with latterly Eddie Grey also and Ian St John and Alan Gilzean inside them. And Denis Law.
“I’ll just say that again for emphasis: and Denis Law. That’s at least half a dozen players of genuine world class plus an all-time great – England don’t have that – and they couldn’t even qualify for a tournament. Southgate deserves plenty of credit.”
England's major semi-finals to date
26 July 1966 Portugal 2-1
5 June 1968 Yugoslavia 0-1
4 July 1990 West Germany 1-1 (3-4 pens)
26 June 1996 Germany 1-1 (5-6 pens)
11 July 2018 Croatia 1-2
7 July 2021 Denmark 2-1
10 July 2024 Not even Biff Tannen knows
The mood around the England team feels so much more positive than it did before the Switzerland game. It might be time to fire up the ITSCOMINGHOMOMETER™ to get an official reading.
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Before the match, why not read – and sign up to – our free, funny*, football newsletter.
Look at his face, etc.
He may be the squad’s most expensive – and youngest – player but he was heavily criticised afterwards, including for his facial expressions.
That biblical rainfall has had an impact on the pitch. On ITV, Karen Carney says it was cutting up slightly when players were twisting and turning during the warm-up
It’s the sign of a good side that they can play modestly and win, as England did against Slovakia and Switzerland. But you can only get away with a dodgy pitch:paper ratio for so long.
Ronald Koeman’s pre-match thoughts
[On the Yellow Wall turning orange] 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.
There are critics in every nation. Maybe they haven’t played to the level people in England expected, but the results are good 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! Let’s hope we’ll do it this season.
“I’m struggling to find a suitable vehicle for a Keane/Wright buddy movie,” says Charles Antaki. “There’s almost always some kind of non-PC asymmetry between the characters – I forget who plays alongside Bruce Willis in the Die Hard franchise, but he’s meant to be a nincompoop of some kind; Batman and Robin, Holmes and Watson, Poirot and Hastings - no, nothing in that genre works.
“The Hopper/Fonda duo in Easy Rider is a bit better but there aren’t much laughs there. So has to be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, reimagining Butch as a stern evangelical preacher and the Kid a streetwise hustler with a social conscience. Of course there we’ve fallen deep into the land of stereotypes, but isn’t that what buddy movies are all about anyway?”
Could we at least stretch to Celebrity Gogglebox?
Rob Smyth is back! He will build the excitement once more.
That game was against Salford City, who included Luke Humbles in their lineup. United lost 4-3.
Mainoo was playing in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy & UEFA Youth League as recently as November as he recovered from the ankle ligament damage sustained on #MUFC pre-season tour. What a rise, what a player https://t.co/IjCZGbBi3o
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) July 10, 2024
How’s the weather in Dortmund?
A wonderful tribute to Old Trafford in Dortmund…#beINSPORTS #MUFC #BVB pic.twitter.com/FG60myWjLo
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) July 10, 2024
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Gabriel Clarke is doing one of his classy features on Jordan Pickford. The goalkeeper has played for Darlington, Burton, Alfreton and Bradford in his career. It is always a nice reminder how important the football pyramid has been for England. Lots of players have experience down the leagues.
Time for a break ahead of what could be a long night. Will Unwin will keep you abreast of any developments.
Gareth Southgate's pre-match thoughts
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.
[On 3-4-2-1] We’re quite flexible 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 supporter 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 the opportunity and give your best.
🗣️ "It might seem normal to be in a third semifinal but that's not the reality - you have to grasp these opportunities."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
A word from the boss ahead of the semifinal...#Euro2024 | #NEDENG | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/SDTsWl4jWr
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At 19 years, 82 days, Kobbie Mainoo will become the youngest player to appear in a semi-final for England
Unless you’re watching particularly closely, it’s not immediately obvious what Mainoo has been doing out there. He hasn’t scored or assisted. He doesn’t have lung-busting pace or an urge to unveil his entire box of tricks. Indeed, the very lack of ostentation is the point. For decades English football has possessed central midfielders who see their role as a canvas, never content with one touch where three touches will do, dissatisfied with their possession unless they have done something eye-catching. Desperate, above all, to be seen.
Mainoo, by contrast, wants to disappear. There are of course flourishes there: a wicked long shot, the deadly spin and run that took two Swiss players out of the game on Saturday night, allowing him to stride 45 yards up the middle of the pitch. But most of his game is about combination play. Bringing others into the game. Drawing defenders towards him and making space elsewhere.
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“Everyone talks about a great generation of attacking English players, and to a certain extent it’s true,” writes David Wall. “Unfortunately it’s not true in a way that helps create a coherent starting XI as most of them like to play in the same area of the pitch. It’s an irony Alanis Morrisette would appreciate - Southgate has 10,000 forwards who like to play in the space behind the striker when all he needs is a deep midfield who can circulate the ball.
“Of course, the real villain in all this is Pep Guardiola for ruining Kalvin Phillips. Imagine if Phillips had developed like most players do when they move to City. By now he’d be England’s version of Tony Kroos or Rodri but instead he’s more like Danny Drinkwater after his move to Chelsea.”
Kudos for writing all that without recourse to the words ‘Lampard’ and ‘Gerrard’.
“I’ve no dog in this fight, Rob,” says Simon McMahon, “and I like Southgate a lot, may the best team win, hopefully after a great game, but is it cowardly to start with Kane?”
Arf, very good, even if 99.94 per cent of the football crowd won’t have a clue what you’re talking about.
Declan Rice: These are the moments you live for
It’s a massive opportunity. This tournament has been a rollercoaster but we deserve to be here and we’re in a really good place, mentally and physically.
The back three gives us stability and outlets with B [Bukayo Saka] on the wing, I thought he was outstanding against Switzerland. And Kobbie next to me, I’ve been singing his praises. He loves to keep the ball, wants 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.
"I've been singing his praises, he's been amazing... I'm lucky to have 𝙆𝙤𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙚 [𝙈𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙤𝙤], he loves to keep the ball, wants to pass the ball- it's a privilege playing with him." ❤️#Euro2024 | #NEDENG | 🎙️ @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/D8W62mc7GV
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
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“The Roy and Wrighty Show is pretty funny…” writes Stephen Berkery. “But, if you don’t speak French, Spanish, Italian, are you entitled to an opinion on how to win international tournaments?”
If you haven’t been an ITV pundit, are you entitled to an opinion on their opinion? Am I entitled to an opinion on your opinion of their opinion?
🗣️ "We talk about the weight of the jersey for England - I think there's a bit of 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 with that."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
🗣️ "I would say we have players good enough."
Keane and Wright clash #Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/5wxF2OzzZo
Netherlands team news: Malen starts
Ronald Koeman also makes a single change from the quarter-final: Donyell Malen for Steven Bergwijn.
Netherlands (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Depay.
Substitutes: Geertruida, de Ligt, Wijnaldum, Weghorst, Frimpong, Bijlow, Van de Ven, Veerman, Blind, Brobbey, Maatsen, Zirkzee, Flekken, Bergwijn, Gravenberch.
THIS IS 𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐄! 🔥#NothingLikeOranje #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/uqlnVzVYHc
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) July 10, 2024
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England team news: Guehi starts, Shaw on the bench
England (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.
Substitutes: Shaw, Alexander-Arnold, Ramsdale, Konsa, Dunk, Gallagher, Toney, Gordon, Watkins, Bowen, Eze, Gomez, Henderson, Palmer, Wharton.
Your #ThreeLions to play the Netherlands! 📋 pic.twitter.com/rDGci8kIAr
— England (@England) July 10, 2024
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XXVI is the new XI
England’s strength in unity, as epitomised by Trent Alexander-Arnold https://t.co/Is6bC37o4q
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) July 9, 2024
This is pretty fascinating
🗣️ "One of the things human beings want to avoid is public embarrassment."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
🗣️ "We weren't free [in the group stage], we were too aware of the noise around us."
🏴 Will England finally be let loose? #Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/NmbERDpxmn
“With the Test match going into extra time at Lord’s, I’m not sure I’ll make it back to Tooting in time for the kick off,” writes Gary Naylor. “The thing is - I’m not sure I want to, such will be the rack on which hopes will be stretched. Is it cowardly to pray for no trains?”
Too niche for the football crowd, Shirley.
The F-word
Ian Wright and Roy Keane are squabbling affectionately on ITV. They’re a brilliant double act who need their own buddy movie asap.
🗣️ "We talk about the weight of the jersey for England - I think there's a bit of 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 with that."
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 10, 2024
🗣️ "I would say we have players good enough."
Keane and Wright clash #Euro2024 | #NEDENG pic.twitter.com/5wxF2OzzZo
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“As well as the official Dutch anthem, could we have a blast of the unofficial Dutch tournament anthem, Links Rechts, please?” writes Andy Gordon. “It’s the kind of tune I can imagine 16 year-olds bouncing around to, unless they are busy launching parabolic pearlers against France.”
I hadn’t heard it until about two minutes, but now Doop feels like a golden age of Dutch music.
No wonder England won’t win anything when Southgate double shifting as a German copper. pic.twitter.com/2Gw18xWbOF
— Rob (@robtoone) July 10, 2024
ENGLAND’S DREAMS ALL COME TRUE
Here’s the great David Lacey’s report from that giddy night at Wembley in June 1996.
History lesson
1988 Netherlands 3-1 England
1996 England 4-1 Netherlands (poor old Scotland)
England fans attacked in Dortmund
Here’s more from the Press Association on the reports of disorder before tonight’s game.
Five England supporters have sustained minor injuries after being attacked by rival Dutch fans in the build-up to Wednesday night’s Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund.
The UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) indicated that some groups of supporters who had travelled from the Netherlands were known to the authorities.
A UKFPU statement said: “We are aware of some reports and videos circulating of disorder in Dortmund. It appears that there have been several instances of Dutch fans attacking England fans in bars and attempting to steal flags.
“We understand this has resulted in minor injuries to five people. We are also aware that in addition to the tens of thousands of Dutch fans there to enjoy the game, there are groups of risk supporters who have travelled to Dortmund from the Netherlands.
“Our officers are at the location supporting German colleagues. We would advise supporters to be aware of their surroundings and seek areas where there is a German Police presence.”
Footage emerged on social media of groups of supporters clad in the famous Dutch orange throwing items of furniture outside bars frequented by England fans.
For the first time in the tournament England supporters are expected to be strongly outnumbered in Dortmund with up to 80,000 Dutch fans understood to be present in the city.
“I had an interesting conversation with a pack of Dutch bikers outside a Scottish castle at the start of the Euros,” boasts Justin Kavanagh. “I poked them, perhaps unwisely, about relying on the Big Man to pull them through against Poland and relying on Wout One football.
“The orange-bedecked crew glared at me and one of them grunted that if Germany can win ugly for decades, it’s ‘our time now to do it with brute force’. Although I wanted to argue that it didn’t work against Spain in 2010, I didn’t disagree. Young Mr. Bellingham and co. might be in for a bruising evening.”
That was a different type of brute force: the clog. This is its pure-spirited cousin, Total Woutball.
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Team news/speculation
England are expected to make only one change, with Marc Guehi, available after suspension, replacing Ezri Konsa.
Netherlands could bring in Donyell Malen for Steven Bergwijn.
Possible England team (3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.
Possible Netherlands team (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Reijnders; Malen/Bergwijn, Simons, Gakpo; Depay.
The Dumfries Protocol may sound like an orgulous post-punk band from the early 1980s. But they’re not, and they don’t have a capital P either.
There are reports of fighting in a Dortmund pub, though it sounds like the day has been largely peaceful. And loud.
There goes the fear…
This is England’s third major semi-final in six years. Before that they’d managed four since 1950, so it definitely constitutes progress.
Preamble
Hello again. Glad you’ve logged on – you’ve obviously heard there’s a football match tonight. England against the Netherlands, the second semi-final of Euro 2024; sporting history waiting to be made.
England* are hoping to make more history under Gareth Southgate by reaching their first major final outside this green and plesasant land. The Netherlands are aiming to reach their third in Germany alone: they lost the 1974 World Cup final to the hosts and beat the USSR in the Euro 88 final.
It’s going to be emotional, it may well go the distance. Let’s crack on with the build-up.
Kick off 8pm.
* Unless otherwise stated all stats and trivia the night will refer to the men’s team only
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