England followers are daring to dream after the Three Lions moved one step nearer to Euro 2024 glory by beating the Netherlands 2-1 in a dramatic semi-final on Wednesday night time.
Late substitute Ollie Watkins despatched the nation into delirium when he fired a shocking strike into the underside left nook with simply seconds remaining to ship Gareth Southgate‘s males into Sunday’s remaining in opposition to Spain in Berlin.
The striker had changed captain Harry Kane, who had earlier equalised for England with a penalty within the first-half – cancelling out Xavi Simons’ marvel strike which had given the Netherlands the lead inside seven minutes.
England’s star-studded squad have been supported in Dortmund by a military of WAGs and celebrities together with Adele and Ed Sheeran as they reached their first ever Euros remaining on international soil.
Southgate’s squad will now try and go one step additional than Euro 2020, when in addition they reached the ultimate however misplaced to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
Nervous England followers suffered early heartbreak when Simons opened the scoring with a thunderbolt shortly after kick-off. However their agony was euphoria when Kane equalised from the spot within the 18th minute.
With the sport heading to extra-time once more, Watkins – who had solely been on the pitch 9 minutes – clinched a historic winner within the ninetieth minute, prompting England’s substitutes to run onto the pitch, as pints flew throughout pubs and fan zones at dwelling.
Ollie Watkins dramatically despatched England into the ultimate of the European Championship with a sensational strike
The substitute scored simply minutes after coming onto the pitch, prompting England’s substitutes to flood onto the pitch
His final minute winner despatched England followers wild because the Euros dream inches nearer
England followers threw their pints into the air and cheered as Watkins clinched the winner
Ollie Watkins sends the England followers into raptures after scoring a last-minute winner in opposition to Netherlands
The dramatic finale to the sport noticed England e-book their place within the Euro 2024 remaining on Sunday
A nervy second half culminated in sheer elation as Ollie Watkins scored an emphatic winner
There was a mix of euphoria and reduction as England reached their first Euros on international soil
Confetti exploded over England followers watching the semi-final in Manchester
This England fan merely soaked all of it in as he celebrated England’s winner
England followers rejoice in Dortmund after Watkins belted the winner dwelling
England followers rejoice as confetti explodes over them following England’s dramatic win
The Three Lions crowd round Ollie Watkins after he scored the winner in opposition to the Netherlands
English singer-songwriter Adele was within the stands to observe England’s historic semi-final win
Ed Sheeran, who has hung out with the England squad in Germany, was additionally within the stands
An emotional Gareth Southgate celebrates on the full-time whistle after main England to a different remaining
Among the many England followers watching was Sir Keir Starmer who managed to catch Kane’s aim in a room along with his Dutch counterpart – as they’re each in Washington for the Nato summit.
The Prime Minister acquired out of his seat because the spot-kick was drilled dwelling, then shook fingers with the Netherlands’ PM Dick Schoof.
Sir Keir, who has confirmed that he’ll attend the ultimate in Berlin on Sunday, posted on X: ‘Picked the precise second to come out from Nato conferences and examine the rating…’
Kane’s penalty was controversially awarded by VAR after he went down from a Denzel Dumfries problem within the aftermath of blazing a strike over the crossbar. However the England captain was not going to complain – and made no mistake in dispatching the penalty into the nook.
In a much-improved England efficiency, the Three Lions then practically doubled their lead as Phil Foden danced round a number of defenders within the field earlier than rolling the ball underneath the keeper solely to see his effort hooked off the road by Dumfries on the essential second.
The heavily-involved Dumfries nearly made amends for making a gift of a penalty minutes later as he crashed a header off the bar from a nook.
However an electrical England pushed for one more and Foden got here inches away from doing so, curling a shocking effort in opposition to the woodwork himself, earlier than the break.
Throughout the half-time break, ITV‘s Mark Pougatch paid tribute to BBC commentator John Hunt – whose spouse and two daughters have been allegedly shot lifeless with a crossbow of their dwelling in Bushey, Hertfordshire, final night time.
ITV commentator Sam Matterface then stated: ‘That echoes our ideas, an exquisite commentator and an exquisite man.’
Within the second-half, England carried on from the place they left as Saka drove to the byline and pulled the ball again, however had no help with him.
With half-hour remaining, the Netherlands got here again into the sport, seeing extra of the ball because the semi-final turned extra whilst England followers watched the sport by way of their fingers.
Their stress nearly paid off as Virgil Van Dijk compelled a wise save out of Pickford to maintain the scores degree within the sixty fifth minute.
England followers have been despatched into raptures once more with 11 minutes to go as Saka gave the Three Lions the lead, ending off an excellent staff aim. However their cheers quickly turned to despair because the offside flag dominated that Walker – who lower the ball again for Saka – was offside within the lead-up.
Shifting into the ultimate seven minutes, Marc Guehi brilliantly intervened to dam Wout Weghorst from scoring on the different finish.
And the reminiscence of Saka’s aim being dominated out was all forgotten about when Cole Palmer performed Ollie Watkins in, who swiveled his physique and fired a strike into the underside left nook with seconds to go to ship England to Berlin.
Shortly after full-time, King Charles and Queen Camilla congratulated the staff, with an announcement. His Majesty stated: ‘My spouse and I be part of all our household in wishing you the warmest congratulations on reaching the ultimate of the U.E.F.A. European Championship – and in sending our easiest needs for Sunday’s match.
‘If I could encourage you to safe victory earlier than the necessity for any final minute wonder-goals or one other penalties drama, I’m certain the stresses on the nation’s collective coronary heart fee and blood stress could be vastly alleviated! Good luck, England. Charles R.’
Prince William, the president of the FA and a lifelong Aston Villa fan, tweeted: ‘What a magnificence, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists. W.’
Ollie Watkins leads the celebrations after scoring a historic winner for England
England followers at Peckham Arches in London rejoice after England’s Ollie Watkins scores
England followers rejoice at Boxpark Wembley because the Three Lions reached the Euros remaining once more
England followers at Peckham Arches in London rejoice the win at full-time
England followers rejoice throughout the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England
England followers go psychological at Boxpark Croydon after the Three Lions’ victory
Supporters will probably be partying lengthy into the night time after the sensational win in Dortmund
Followers have been left with their fingers on their heads after the staggering win
Followers carrying bucket hats have been shocked by Watkins’ final gasp winner
England followers rejoice Ollie Watkin’s aim on the AO Enviornment in Manchester
The tops have been flying off as England followers couldn’t hid their elation
An England fan carrying a David Beckham shirt reacts after Watkins’ winner
England followers leap up and down after the winner
England followers at Millennium Sq., Leeds, throughout a screening of England’s semi-final
England followers let off flares and get on one another’s shoulders at Millenium Sq., Leeds
England followers launch pints into the air after Harry Kane’s equaliser
Followers have been despatched right into a frenzy after equalising simply 10 minutes after conceding
England followers go wild as Kane dispatches his penalty within the first-half of the semi-final
England followers throw pints within the air at Central Park, Newcastle, as Kane scores
Harry Kane celebrates after scoring a penalty in opposition to the Netherlands
England’s squad, together with Saka, Kane and Mainoo rejoice the equaliser in entrance of the followers
Singer Olly Murs was amongst those that have been watching the sport at Boxpark Wembley
Xavi Simons celebrates after opening the scoring with a shocking strike previous a helpless Jordan Pickford
Dutch followers rejoice after Xavi gave them an early lead in Dortmund on Wednesday night
Dumfries hits the crossbar within the first-half
He additionally cleared the ball off the road after Foden thought he had scored
Foden’s curling strike hits the publish within the first-half
The build-up to the semi-final was marred by violence as Dutch hooligans injured 5 England followers in a collection of shameless assaults at Dortmund bars.
Hundreds of followers who packed out the BVB Stadion Dortmund have been additionally drenched with torrential rain on account of a leaking roof.
However the Three Lions’ travelling fan base will probably be celebrating into the night time after a historic win.
Talking after the sport, Watkins advised the BBC: ‘I by no means thought I might be taking part in within the Euros for England. You may dream however I’m a realist, I simply take by day and one step at a time. I used to be simply centered on getting again into the primary staff at Exeter!
‘I’ve put plenty of work to get up to now, not simply this season. I’ll get pleasure from each second.
‘Lately I’ve clearly acquired a bit pissed off. I do not prefer to be on the bench, I’ve had one of the best season of my profession.
‘A couple of buddies messaged me and stated be affected person and the quantity of people that messaged me tonight saying I might rating after I come on was ridiculous. Hopefully they will do the identical for the ultimate or give me the lottery numbers.’
England followers danced with pleasure and sang ‘all the best way, all the best way’ after Watkins’ late aim put the Three Lions within the remaining.
Among the many followers who was 69-year-old James Whittaker, from Birmingham.
He stated: ‘It is among the finest emotions on this planet proper now. This England staff are bringing our nation collectively and giving us all to rejoice.
‘I retired final yr as a binman and this journey with my household is the primary vacation I’ve had in 5 years. It is so fantastic.
‘I’m from Birmingham and Ollie has made your complete Midlands and England followers in all places so proud.’
Moments earlier than Kane’s aim, followers have been left devastated by the Netherlands’ opener
Many have been left shocked by the unbelievable opening aim that gave England a mountain to climb
England followers have been visibly nervous throughout the semi-final conflict in Dortmund on Wednesday night time
The England squad huddle collectively and rejoice after scoring moments after the Netherlands
Harry Kane celebrates with Jude Bellingham after scoring
England followers have packed out the Dortmund stadium
There was euphoria when England equalised
Three Lions followers erupted at Boxpark Wembley when Kane buried his penalty
England followers pose as Three Lions on the Dortmund stadium in Germany on Wednesday night time
England followers have been operating by way of the feelings because the Three Lions battled for the ultimate in opposition to the Netherlands
England followers groan after Bukayo Saka’s aim is dominated out for offside
England have been electrical within the first-half however followers have been visibly struggling within the second-half
England followers pray for a Three Lions victory as they watch the sport at Boxpark Wembley
Invoice Steele, 40, of Manchester, kissed his England badge and raised his beer in the direction of the England staff as they celebrated.
Mr Steele stated: ‘That is simply superior. I used to be ready for further time. After which the sudden occurred we scored a winner. Completely superb.’
Gavin Lee, 47, of Southend, stated: ‘What a terrific night time for England. For the supporters and the gamers. I might not have missed this for the world.
‘It was such a shock once we scored with only some minutes left. I used to be psyching myself up for an additional half hour and possibly penalties.
‘However the ambiance proper now could be unbelievable. The followers are simply singing and celebrating and we’re so completely happy. Thanks, Harry Kane and the staff.
‘I simply want I had a ticket for Sunday. It is going to be an unbelievable remaining.’
Kieran Maloney of Manchester stated: ‘That is one of the best night time of my 21 years.
‘My coronary heart remains to be pumping and I simply cannot consider I’m there for this night time.
‘We confirmed tonight that we’re a staff who play for one another and do not hand over. Once we went a aim down, it may’ve so simply been over . However now we have come again and we’re are within the remaining!’
Callum Kay, 21, wiped away tears of pleasure and stated: ‘I by no means thought I might see such a terrific night time, and such a terrific efficiency from an England.
‘I can not cease crying. My complete physique is in shock. Nevertheless it’s such a terrific feeling.
‘I can inform you one factor. I haven’t got a lodge room tonight so all I can do is go drink a great deal of beer and simply hold celebrating.’
Each units of supporters descended on Dortmund of their droves – with England’s followers outnumbered on a uncommon event. Again within the UK, the motorways have been empty at kick-off as followers at dwelling have been glued to their screens.
The Orange Military marched by way of the streets of the German metropolis forward of kick-off, singing, dancing and letting off flares as they adopted an orange double-decker bus to the stadium.
It was an evening to recollect for the younger England squad – who placed on their finest efficiency of the match by far.
The calm earlier than the storm
Gareth Southgate applauds the followers forward of kick-off on the Dortmund stadium on Wednesday
Megan Davidson, the spouse of Jordan Pickford
Love Island star Dani Dyer, the accomplice of Jarrod Bowen
Anouska Santos, the accomplice of Luke Shaw
Kyle Walker’s spouse Annie Kilner was in attendance – having stirred up controversy in current weeks
Ollie Watkins’ accomplice Ellie Alderson and his household watch on
Lewis Dunk’s accomplice Abi Yaxley
Harry Kane’s spouse Kate Goodland
English singer-songwriter Adele (L) sits within the stands as she joined A-list celebs on the sport
The crunch conflict got here after tens of hundreds of Dutch and England followers had partied the day away in Dortmund.
Some 40,000 Three Lions supporters are in Dortmund for the sport as England performed their third semi-final previously 4 main tournaments.
Hundreds of thousands extra have been watching again dwelling on TV with 28million individuals anticipated to tune into ITV’s protection and an estimated 35million pints set to be poured.
The Three Lions topped their group in unconvincing vogue; scraping by way of in opposition to Slovakia after a late Jude Bellingham strike within the final 16; then beating Switzerland on penalties within the quarter-finals.
Britain’s pubs have been set for a multi-million pound bonanza from followers who’re watching at dwelling.
Landlords have been anticipating to tug an additional eight million pints from the pre-match construct as much as the ultimate whistle.
Hundreds of these pints, together with gallons of alcohol-free beers, will movement throughout the late night time licensing hours with pubs in England allowed to stay open till 1am.
The late-night hours have been proposed within the final days of the Conservative authorities and will probably be enacted unopposed in Parliament tomorrow by Residence Secretary Yvette Cooper.
England followers at Peckham Arches in London throughout a screening of the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-final match
Three Lions supporters throw their pints within the air at Boxpark Croydon as they rejoice Kane’s aim
England followers within the Camp and Furnace Pub react as England play the Netherlands within the semi-final
England followers rejoice their facet’s first aim of the sport, scored by Harry Kane
England supporters rejoice on the Boxpark Fan Zone whereas watching a public screening at Boxpark
These England followers are backing the Three Lions to make the ultimate in Berlin in opposition to Spain on Sunday
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand takes a selfie with the followers
England followers watching the sport in Manchester react throughout the semi-final conflict on Wednesday
Emma McClarkin, Chief Govt of the British Beer And Pub Affiliation hailed the increase.
She stated: ‘We count on an unbelievable eight million further pints to be poured in our pubs throughout England’s semi-final in opposition to the Netherlands.
‘This quantities to an incredible £40 million in further commerce for pubs and breweries.
‘And let’s not overlook that England making it to the semi finals now means pubs will probably be licensed to remain open till 1am on Wednesday night time, giving followers much more time to benefit from the sport and help our pubs.
In Dortmund in the present day, Netherlands supporters turned the town right into a sea of orange as they danced, chanted and let off flares.
Most should not have match tickets however made the journey to observe the sport in one of many metropolis’s two fan parks, inflicting one to place the ‘full home’ indicators up seven hours earlier than kick off.
Dutch followers appeared to assault England supporters for ‘no cause’ across the metropolis of Dortmund
UK Police have stated teams of ‘danger supporters’ are identified to be among the many 80,000 sturdy Dutch help that has descended on the German metropolis, as they warned England followers to hunt refuge in areas populated by German police
Stools, benches and bottles have been flung throughout the fracas forward of England’s semi-final
Many have been seen accepting their destiny and leaping round within the rain
England followers cheer and use mops to attempt to dry their seats
Water comes down from the sting of the stadium roof following heavy rainfall
Stadium workers try and clear the rain earlier than kick-off on the Dortmund stadium on Sunday
The rain was crashing down in Dortmund on Wednesday night time
Hundreds of England followers made the journey to Dortmund
England and Netherlands followers have descended on Dortmund
An England win would arrange a Euros remaining in opposition to Spain
England will make historical past in the event that they attain the ultimate
England and Netherlands followers fiddle earlier than kick-off
Hundreds have been jammed into the town centre, on trams on the town’s underground and out of doors their staff’s lodge close to the BVB Stadion.
Supporters began a two-mile march to the stadium some 5 hours earlier than kick-off, led by an orange double-decker bus.
The thrilling day was thrown into chaos, nevertheless, when Dutch hooligans began attacking England followers – as The Euros exploded into sickening violence.
Movies surfaced on X of swathes of individuals dressed within the iconic vibrant orange soccer shirts throwing stools and benches outdoors of Sausalitos restaurant and bar in Germany forward of kick-off.
UK Police have stated teams of ‘danger supporters’ are identified to be in Dortmund and warned England followers to hunt refuge in areas populated by German police.
In one of many clips locals tried to protect the cafe, with followers who selected to enterprise out and have interaction with the mob being rapidly set upon.
England followers get together in Dortmund
An England followers lets off a flare in Dortmund
England followers will be seen chanting, with beers in hand in Dortmund because the Three Lions face off in opposition to the Netherlands of their semi-final match on Wednesday
England followers are in good spirits forward of the Three Lions’ Wednesday night time crunch match in opposition to the Netherlands
An England fan sips a beer on the shoulders of his mate amid a sea of Netherlands followers
Netherland supporters cheer within the streets of Dortmund, western Germany, on July 10
England followers in Dortmund for the Three Lions’ semi-final match in opposition to the Netherlands
A bar workers member on the restaurant claimed that the battle broke out after Dutch followers tried to steal a flag from England supporters.
Chatting with the MailOnline Leo Woeho stated: ‘There was provocation from each side. They have been singing songs.
‘The Dutch have been saying to the English that they have been going to go dwelling and lose tonight.
‘Then I noticed the Dutch followers attempting to take the England flag and that is when the difficulty began.
‘The Dutch followers began throwing issues like tables and chairs and bottles after which the England followers retaliated.’
‘He stated no person was significantly injured, though police made a number of arrests.
‘There’s plenty of harm, a TV has been smashed, furnishings damaged and harm is elsewhere.
‘It was fairly scary and it’s a disgrace. It means now we have to shut and open now till tomorrow.’
A spokesperson for the UK Soccer Policing Unit stated: ‘We’re conscious of some studies and movies circulating of dysfunction in Dortmund.
Dutch followers, led by an orange double-decker bus, make their solution to Dortmund’s stadium for the semi-final
A sea of orange made its method by way of the German metropolis forward of the crunch-semi remaining conflict
The Dutch are set to outnumber the England followers as they make the journey throughout the border
Topless Dutch followers cheer within the streets of Dortmund
‘It seems that there have been a number of situations of Dutch followers attacking England followers in bars and trying to steal flags.
‘We perceive this has resulted in minor accidents to 5 individuals. We’re additionally conscious that along with the tens of hundreds of Dutch followers there to benefit from the sport, there are teams of danger supporters who’ve travelled to Dortmund from the Netherlands.
‘Our officers are on the location supporting German colleagues. We’d advise supporters to concentrate on their environment and search areas the place there’s a German Police presence.’
