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Netherlands1 - 2England

sportsmole.co.uk, 10 July 2024, 22:16
England will take on Spain in Sunday's Euro 2024 final after recording a 2-1 victory over Netherlands in the competition's second semi-final on Wednesday night.

Harry Kane's 18th-minute penalty had cancelled out an early goal from Xavi Simons, before Ollie Watkins came up with a last-gasp winner for Gareth Southgate's side in Germany.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how each player performed in the last-four battle.

Netherlands player ratings vs. England: Simons impresses but Gakpo disappoints

GOALKEEPER

Bart Verbruggen - 6/10

Could do nothing with either England goal and was again a solid presence between the sticks. The goalkeeper can be pleased with what has been a successful European Championship on a personal note.

DEFENCE

Denzel Dumfries - 7/10

Incredibly unfortunate to be penalised for England's first-half penalty, as it looked to be a fair challenge on Kane, and he hit the crossbar with a header during a solid performance.

Stefan de Vrij - 6/10

Was turned by Watkins for England's late winner on Wednesday night, and the experienced centre-back will be thinking about that goal for some time.

Virgil van Dijk - 6/10

Tested Jordan Pickford with an effort in the second period, but he was not quite at his commanding best from a defensive point of view, especially in the opening half of action.

Nathan Ake - 6/10

Solid-enough performance from the Manchester City defender, but he did not offer too much in the way of an attacking threat, and England had a lot of joy down their right.

MIDFIELD

Jerdy Schouten - 6/10

Once again proved to be a steady operator in the middle of midfield, and he was impressive in the second period when Netherlands were enjoying strong spells of possession.

Xavi Simons - 7/10

Made the breakthrough with a wonderful goal, and he was a threat when he was able to get on the ball, but the attacker faded in the second period and was replaced late on.

Tijjani Reijnders - 6/10

Found it difficult in the first period, with England having a lot of joy, but a tactical tweak at the interval meant that he was given more protection in the second half of action.

ATTACK

Donyell Malen - 6/10

Given the nod from the start as one of the three Dutch attackers, and he had a shot deflected behind by Kyle Walker, but the forward was replaced at the interval for Netherlands.

Memphis Depay - 6/10

Made a bright start to the match and set up an opportunity for Malen to register, but the ex-Manchester United attacker was disappointedly forced off through injury in the 34th minute.

Cody Gakpo - 6/10

Has had an excellent Euro 2024, scoring three goals and registering one assist, but the Liverpool forward was not at his best against England, being limited to only a few positive moments.

SUBSTITUTES

Joey Veerman - 7/10

Replaced Memphis in the latter stages of the first period, and the 25-year-old was one of his side's better players on the evening, as he used the ball well, boasting a pass success rate of 88%.

Wout Weghorst - 6/10

Was introduced at the interval for Malen, but he was too physical in his challenges with the England defence, and the experienced striker struggled to have an impact in the final third of the field.

Brian Brobbey - N/A

Only entered the field after Watkins had scored, so he was not given any time to have an impact.

Joshua Zirkzee - N/A

Big striker is seemingly heading for Manchester United this summer, but he was also only introduced after England had netted their second.

England player ratings vs. Netherlands: Mainoo, Watkins star for Three Lions but Bellingham struggles

GOALKEEPER

Jordan Pickford - 7/10

Could do nothing with Simons's wonder strike, and the England goalkeeper made a smart save in the second period to deny Van Dijk. Can be pleased with another strong performance between the sticks.

DEFENCE

Kyle Walker - 6/10

Has not quite been at his best this summer, but the Man City defender used his pace to escape some dangerous situations and provided the cross for Saka to score a goal which was later disallowed.

John Stones - 6/10

Stones has not had many opportunities to showcase his technical ability this summer, but it was another solid performance from the defender on Wednesday night.

Marc Guehi - 6/10

Came back into the side after being suspended for the quarter-final, and he was a part of an England defence which restricted Netherlands to very little in the final third of the field.

MIDFIELD

Bukayo Saka - 7/10

Was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed in the latter stages, but the Arsenal man was again a huge threat on Wednesday, and his strong work led to England being awarded a penalty in the first half.

Kobbie Mainoo - 8/10

Again showcased his quality with a strong midfield performance, with the Manchester United youngster excellent in the middle, particularly in the opening half of action.

Declan Rice - 7/10

Gave away possession too easily to Simons, who rattled one into the top corner, but the Arsenal midfielder certainly improved as the match progressed.

Kieran Trippier - 6/10

Given the nod as the left-sided wing-back, but he found it difficult to offer much of a threat in a wide area, and it was not a shock when he was replaced at the half-time break.

ATTACK

Jude Bellingham - 6/10

Has had some huge moments for England this summer, but the Real Madrid attacker found it difficult to make his mark against Netherlands during the semi-final.

Harry Kane - 6/10

Scored England's leveller from the penalty spot after being fouled inside the box, and like a number of his teammates, impressed in the first period, but it was not a surprise when he was substituted in the 81st minute.

Phil Foden - 7/10

Was brilliant in the opening 45 minutes, having one cleared off the line and rattling the post, but the Manchester City attacker faded in the second period and was replaced in the 80th minute.

SUBSTITUTES

Luke Shaw - 7/10

Will surely now be in Southgate's thoughts to start the final after putting in a strong performance in the second 45 minutes, impressing from both an offensive and defensive point of view.

Ollie Watkins - 9/10

Will never forget this night. Did brilliantly to turn De Vrij inside the penalty box and pick out the bottom corner. Deserved his moment after having to be patient at the tournament.

Cole Palmer - 7/10

Brilliantly released Watkins with a clever pass for the winning goal, with the Chelsea attacker again having a positive impact off the bench for England.

Ezri Konsa - N/A

Was only on the field for the final moments.

Conor Gallagher - N/A

Entered alongside Konsa after England had scored their second of the match.

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