Ollie Watkins’ 91st-minute goal secured England’s 2-1 victory over Netherlands that ensures Gareth Southgate’s team will face Spain in Sunday’s European Championship final.
The Dutch centre-back was in the spotlight again soon after when he rose magnificently for a corner but thumped his header against the bar, only for England to respond with a fantastic curling shot by Foden that hit the post with the keeper beaten.
England’s fans, who had been bored into silence in their previous three games, could barely believe what they were seeing and won the singing battle despite being massively outnumbered.
Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka were playing with the swagger that they showed all season for their clubs, while the incredible 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo was running midfield like a veteran.
It was a scarcely believable transformation as the team who barely mustered a shot against Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland sent in crosses high and low, attempted probing through balls and even had a couple of backheels in the box while forcing Bart Verbruggen into three sprawling saves.
Netherlands threw on striker Wout Weghorst for the second half, while England brought on Luke Shaw, but England seemed to lose their energy, playing safely.
For fans who saw the same pattern in the 2018 World Cup semifinal against Croatia and Euro 2020 final against Italy, where England were forced back after early dominance, it was a worry. But this time, coach Gareth Southgate took dramatic action by removing Foden and Kane after 80 minutes and bringing on Watkins and Palmer.
Saka did turn in a low Kyle Walker cross in a rare attack, but it was ruled out for offside.
However, Palmer, who has looked dangerous every time he has come on in the tournament, threaded a pass into the path of Watkins to cue bedlam.
It was heartbreak for the Dutch, who have now lost four semifinals since winning the title in 1988.
“My feeling was the last 20 to 25 minutes our team was a little more fresh than England, but they scored a great goal and that’s football sometimes,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.
“I won’t say it was unlucky, because it was a great goal. And we can be really proud of our national team; we had a great tournament.”
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