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 … 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. The Killers celebrated the win, too. In other news … the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer will be at the final in Berlin on Sunday. 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.” 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.” “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.” 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.” 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. 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! 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. 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. “That Watkins goal was pure Jimmy Greaves,” says Kim Thonger. “The best ever.” That’s a brilliant comparison, and quite the compliment. 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. GOAL! Netherlands 1-2 England (Watkins 90+1) OLLIE WATKINS HAS JUST BECOME A NATIONAL HERO! 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. 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. 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. 79 min: Saka has a goal disallowed! 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.) 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. 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? What did Bill 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. GOAL! Netherlands 1-1 England (Kane 18 pen) Harry Kane equalises!