Super-sub Watkins sends England past Netherlands and into Euro 2024 final

Even to lose in the final against an excellent Spain side would still be a very good achievement and beyond expectation after the Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia games.

Hats off to Southgate, he showed his experience, nous and championship qualities by putting Watkins on who scored the winner. Captain Kane was colossal as always. The Three Lions deservedly go through to the decider - they have been ticking along nicely all tournament, improving all the time - in spite of hysterical and ignorant criticism from their own fans.

Can la Roja handle these ravenous young Lions, hungry for their first silverware since '66? Both teams go in even in my mind - should be a scintillating finale!

It looks like this coach will go down in history as one of the greatest ever. A lot of supporters are going to be very embarrassed after the way they spoke about him. I guess they are only supporters after all and know nothing about managing a team.

All hail Ollie Watkins 90 minute stunner

Forgive me, was Harry Kane penalty, VAR decision justifiable?

Obviously why question?

It was fortuitous, England put on superb match winning display, I think the best team won.

After dreadful performances, England finally played some football in the first half, before the Dutch tweaked their tactics and things got cagey.

The refs haven't been too bad, but Germany should have had a penalty v Spain, and England shouldn't v the Dutch. That simply wasn't a foul.

Kane can take a penalty better than most but he is starting to look like a passenger for the rest of the game. Not sure why. He's been banging them in for Bayern. He's going to have to make more space for himself and any passes are going to have to be perfect for him.

Knocking the ball around in a semi-circle looking to go through a crowded defence requires more precision, and they need to use the wings more. Saka was their best player in the previous game, Foden in this one.

Watkins has been a goal machine For Villa. That was a super strike. And Foden nearly matched Yamal's.

England remain very vulnerable at the back and will need to tighten up v. Spain. They will need subs before the very last possible minute. They have been lucky. Luck only takes you so far in a tournament.

A great winner

It was England's best game by a mile

The first half as really good, less so in the second

Foden was unlucky not to score

I thought it was never a penalty and the Dutch should have had a penalty for holding in the box

Hopefully their luck will hold for one more game

Forgive me, was Harry Kane penalty, VAR decision justifiable?

Never a pen.

Great game to watch - unusual when England are involved.

Still, they have improved a lot in this tournament. Brilliant finish from Watkins - he and Toney have played their parts in this tournament.

Koeman furious but those of us old enough to remember his foul on Platt might have limited sympathy. Crap Everton manager as well.

I thought that, Jimizo, Harry Kane stayed on the ground.

My Father, in contortions insisted its a penalty, I just view an equal play for the ball, a block

Harry Kane's controversial penalty v Netherlands! Was that penalty fairly given? England Netherlands

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o45a2PsbtLk

However, its a funny old game, and England did play a superior match

Can't wait for Sunday!

Kane should have gotten an Oscar, but lucked out with the more useful penalty he was after.

My Father, in contortions insisted its a penalty, I just view an equal play for the ball, a block

Some arguing it would have been a free-kick if it had happened outside the box and so the decision was consistent. Refs are obviously more hesitant to give pens.

I don’t think it was a foul even if it had happened on the halfway line.

You usually need a bit of luck/decisions to go your way in tournament football. As mentioned earlier, Spain got away with a handball inside the box v Germany.

UK bookies have Spain at 8/11 and England at 6/5.

I predict England will win on Sunday, just like I predicted a win yesterday. I'm on a roll.

Fantastic goal from Watkins!

England were very good first half, easily the best of this tournament. They were finding lots of pockets of space and passing it vertically, most noticably to Foden at last. After the Dutch changed systems, this dried up and it was back to passing it sideways. Offside goal aside, England struggled to create anything.

Spain are a much better side, but still gave the French a number of chances. If they can be more clinical than the French, like Watkins was last night, they could win this.

Exemplary Englishman Kane is a role model for footballers in England and across Europe. Despite agony and pain, the skipper stood up as a courageous soldier and took the spot kick in style showing no signs of personal sufferings. Gareth Southgate, the Supreme Commander of the three Lions is blessed with awesome talent on the bench. Watkins, Palmer, Gallagher, Konsa, Shaw, Toney, and TAA are all game-changers in waiting.

Just watched the highlights. Deffo a penalty.

My Father, in contortions insisted its a penalty, I just view an equal play for the ball, a block

Nah, studs showing, leg high, very far from a 'block'. More of a lunge. You have to give that.

I really hope we can give it our all on Sunday and win something for once.

As the Brit commentators said, "Never be paid in the Premier League".

And Kane writhing around like he's been shot in the foot.

Pantomime.

Just watched the highlights. Deffo a penalty

Delusional at least, I'm happy we won, but there was some sure help by the ref.

Surprising that Kane was able to take the penalty with the same painful foot that has just been kicked. But generally a more watchable game last night, and credit to the Dutch. That first goal was superb.

And the English still shouldn't care how they play

Football can be brutal in its cruelty.

The Dutch media, fans, it pundits are scathing to the point of red mist anger mockery, robbery of a victory in Berlin final.

A reason way Football provokes such extreme emotional.

All still will lead to the conclusion that England were the team taking full advantage of the occasion, and play.

I want to have a flutter, however I have had/promised to put my degenerate days of sport/political gambling behind me.

Having said that, if your thinking of have a bet, (UK), think of "scores" first/second half, plus goal scorers, substitutes on/off, in play timing of "score lines".