England score injury time winning goal to break Oranje’s hearts at Euro 2024

England scored a winner in injury time to break Oranje’s hearts in the semi-final of the 2024 European Championships in Dortmund on Wednesday. Ollie Watkins scored from an acute angle in the 91st winner to ensure that the match finished 2-1 for England after Xavi Simons had scored the goal for the Netherlands.

Ronald Koeman made one change to the side that beat Turkey, with Donyell Malen coming in for Steven Bergwijn. England manager Gareth Southgate made no changes to the team that beat Switzerland on penalties.

Oranje made the best possible start, taking the lead in the seventh minute. A long ball was headed out by the England defense and was then lost by midfielder Declan Rice to Xavi Simons, who took a few strides before smashing the ball into the top corner.

England fought back instantly after the goal. Striker Harry Kane tested Bart Verbruggen with a low hard drive, which the goalkeeper punched away.

The English side's next chance came in the 13th minute. Bukayo Saka cut inside and saw his shot blocked before it bounced for Kane, whose volley went over. The Netherlands thought they had survived the attack, but replays showed that Denzel Dumfries had gone in studs up on the striker. A penalty was awarded to England after VAR review. Kane scored the penalty, striking it low and hard into the corner.

Dumfries made up for his mistake in the 22nd minute when he saved a certain goal. Phil Foden's effort had gone past Verbruggen and was rolling into the goal, but for Dumfries, who controlled it on the goalline before kicking it away.

The right-back was very involved in the match, hitting the crossbar a short while later. A change was made with the corner takers, as Xavi Simons took the corner as opposed to Memphis Depay, who has taken them all tournament. Simons's first corner of the tournament was met by Dumfries, who headed it onto the crossbar.

Next, it was England's turn to hit the woodwork. Foden found space just outside the area and hit a sublime curled effort, which hit the post before going wide.

Koeman was forced into a change in the first half. Depay had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Joey Veerman. This will have been Koeman's reaction to Oranje's losing the midfield battle in the first half.

Oranje had the first chance in the second half when Van Dijk met Veerman’s cross into the box, but Pickford saved his effort.

England thought they had won the game in the 79th minute, but Kyle Walker was offside before Saka knocked in his cross.

And then came the moment that broke Dutch hearts around the country. Substitute Ollie Watkins received the ball on the turn before smashing it into the far corner for a late-winning goal.

Oranje tried to lodge a closing offensive, bringing two attackers on, but had no luck in doing so.