In the decisive match the English will meet the Spanish.

In Dortmund, the second finalist of the European Championship was determined. This was England, who won with a strong will against the Netherlands with the score 2:1. The Dutch, like the French, will receive the bronze.

We have not yet forgotten how Wout Weghorst’s presence in the second half of the match against the Turks changed the game of the Dutch national team. It seemed that the formula for success had been found. However, in the match against the English, the great striker was again left in reserve. Donyell Malen took over the central striker’s place and Memphis Depay moved to the right flank.

The English failed to close out the game with the Swiss Harry Kane. But in the semi-final the striker recovered and left with the captain’s armband. From the first minutes, the young Kobby Mainu appeared.

A completely different England

And in this semi-final we saw a goal early. Declan Rice played carelessly in his own half, giving the ball to Javi Simons. And the young Dutchman took it and shot from 20 meters away. Jordan Pickford was not in the best position, so he could only touch the ball with his fingertips. In the seventh minute the Orange took the lead.

They could have capitalized on their success here, but the English recovered quite quickly. In just 10 minutes. Initially, the Dutch defense did not keep track of Harry Kane in their own penalty area. The shot of the English captain was saved by the young Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. A minute later, Kane missed from a killer position, not hitting the ball properly. But Geoffrey Dumfries did not miss and drove his nails directly into Kane’s leg. Penalty or not? On the one hand, the violation is obvious, but on the other hand, the episode is exhausted. German referee Felix Zweier, although not immediately, emphasized the point. Kane was perfect – 1:1.

And this quick return goal set the English on fire. Where has such a boring team gone, for whose game they washed all the bones of Gareth Southgate. The English team finally recovered, began to play interesting football and create chances near Verbruggen’s goal. Phil Foden was very active. But Jude Bellingham turned into an invisible man again.

But the implementation has not yet gone well. Neither the English, who created more chances, nor the Dutch. Foden and Dumfries tested the strength of the crossbar of the goal. Memphis was injured and was unable to continue the match. He was replaced by Joey Werman 10 minutes before half-time. The teams go to half-time with the score 1:1.

Without Weghorst

The Dutch came out in the second half with Weghorst. Malen went to rest. The English did not have Kieran Trippier on the pitch. Luke Shaw went to the left flank of the defense. But the nature of the game changed little. Mainu intercepted everything in the center of the field, Foden led the English forward and Bellingham continued to pretend to be present. Weghorst worked more on the defense. And I must say he is productive. The dangerous moments in front of Verbruggen’s goal failed. It is true, the Dutch had little success in front of them. Cody Gakpo looked much weaker than in previous matches.

But the Dutch national team still had the standard formations at their disposal. One of them was almost used by Virgil van Dijk. After a free kick, the Dutch captain outwitted Kyle Walker and shot from ten meters. Pickford saved the English and returned the ball to the corner.

The coaches were in no hurry to make substitutions, as if they were counting on extra time. Which is very strange, especially for the English, who have a more homogeneous selection of players. In addition, the advantage gradually passed to the “orange”. And the English team again became similar to itself in previous meetings. And the Dutch became more daring. Simons hit again, hoping for a double. Pickford had the situation under control.

English Jokers

Southgate realized that something had to change. And at this moment Bukayo Saka scored the second goal. Which after the viewing was not counted. Phil Foden and Harry Kane then left the field and were replaced by Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins.

Southgate hit the mark with these substitutions. First, two new players organized a strong attack. Watkins could have scored, but he didn’t have time to put his feet down. Palmer’s shot was inaccurate. And in the 90th minute Watkins, after a pass from Palmer, shot from 12 meters into the corner. No chance for the keeper.

Ronald Koeman finally remembered that he has a decent striker in Joshua Zirkzee. The Bologna player took the field in injury time. But it was too late. The English team won 2:1 and reached the final of the European Championship for the second time in a row.

For Sir Gareth

Gareth Southgate won his duel against Ronald Koeman. The English proved to be tactically more flexible. In the first half in general we seemed more than dignified. In the second we played more carefully. Well, the substitutions made by the English coach proved to be fatal. Watkins and Palmer are not even jokers, they are winning cards. The first scored, the second gave in. And the coach was not afraid to take Kane and Foden off the pitch.

Southgate has been attacked by everyone. Some for their work, others simply influenced by fashion. The words anti-football and Southgate have become synonymous. But Gareth has remained indifferent to his critics, which is why he led the English to the final. Regardless of the outcome of the decisive match, Southgate remains the most successful manager in the recent history of the English national team. If he wins against the Spanish, he will become second to Sir Elf Ramsay. By the way, Southgate will be knighted after reaching the final, which means he will have to be called Sir Gareth.

And Koeman shot himself in the foot. After all, it worked well with Weghorst, but the coach left the great Wout in reserve again. Why didn’t Zirkzee, who had a great season at Bologna, play? Or Jeremy Frimpong, who played very well at Bayer, but for some reason practically didn’t play at the Euros.

In the meantime, we await the final between Spain and England. A completely unpredictable ending.