England came from a goal down to defeat Netherlands 2-1 in the second semi-final match of Euro 2024 played on Wednesday as substitutes Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer became combined to send the Three Lions to the final.
RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons put the Dutch ahead with a powerful strike from outside the box in the 7th minute. England got a rapid reaction when Harry Kane converted a penalty in the 18th to draw his team level.
England manager Gareth Southgate brought on Chelsea playmaker Palmer and Aston Villa striker Watkins in the 81st minute, with the duo replacing Phil Foden and skipper Kane respectively.
As Ivan Toney has made impact coming from the bench in England’s previous matches, so did Cole and Watkins against the Ronald Koeman’s Holland, with the former setting up the latter to score the winning goal for the English team in stoppage time.
Former England striker Alan Shearer was impressed by the two subs’ contribution. The Premier League’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game and said:
“When you come on as a substitute, you’re either put on to try and save the game or to impact the game in a different way.
We know why [Cole] Palmer was brought on to try and get that bit of quality on the ball, which we just couldn’t find in the second half.
We also know why [Ollie] Watkins was brought on, to upset the defenders, to run in behind the defenders, to make a nuisance of himself and when he got a chance, he put it away. It doesn’t get any better than that, does it!”
England will face Spain in Euro 2024 final on Sunday, July 14th in Berlin.
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