Heartbreak for Donyell Malen and the Netherlands in Dortmund

A list minute goal from Ollie Watkins helped England come from behind and secure their place in the Euro 2024 final at the expense of Donyell Malen and the Netherlands.

The Westfalenstadion in Dortmund played host to a breathtaking Euro 2024 semifinal on Wednesday evening, and it was England who came out on top to book their place in the showpiece event against Spain. A dramatic late winner from Ollie Watkins saw the Three Lions come out on top. And it was an agonising defeat for Donyell Malen and the Netherlands.

Borussia Dortmund forward Malen was named in the Dutch starting XI by Ronald Koeman for the crunch semifinal. But it was Xavi Simons who made an early impact on the game, with the Bayern Munich target firing home with a sumptuous strike from outside the box after winning the ball in the final third.

England were handed a route back into the game ten minutes later as they were awarded a contentious penalty after Harry Kane went down inside the box. The infamous Felix Zwayer awarded England a penalty after taking a look at the pitch-side monitor, and the Bayern striker made no mistake from the spot.

Both teams had chances to score after that, but it was Watkins who came up with the decisive moment of the game in the 90th minute. Just when it appeared that we were headed for extra time, the Aston Villa striker stepped up and found the bottom corner of the net.

The goal helped England qualify for their second straight European Championship final. Standing in their way at the Olympiastadion in Berlin will be Spain, who have hardly put a foot wrong all tournament.