Netherlands - England summary: score, goals, highlights | UEFA Euro 2024

Southgate savours first final on foreign soil

England manager Gareth Southgate has been speaking to ITV:

“I think it has to be the best [achievement of my tenure]. It’s another landmark [reaching a final outside of England], but the way that we played as well. We played so well throughout the game. It was a complicated game: they kept changing, and we had to keep changing how we were defensively especially.

"But I thought we caused them problems all night and the end is so special for the squad again. It’s an example of what the squad have given to the cause, basically.” 

When did England and Spain last meet?

It's now getting on for six years since England and Spain last faced each other.

Their most recent clash came in the UEFA Nations League in October 2018, when England produced one of their most memorable displays of the Southgate era to win 3-2 in Seville.

Raheem Sterling scored twice for the visitors, either side of a goal by Marcus Rashford. From 3-0 down, Paco Alcácer and Sergio Ramos brought Spain to within one goal of an equaliser.

What is England and Spain's Euros H2H?

By my count, England and Spain have met twice before at the European Championship finals.

England won 2-1 in the group stage at Euro ’80, thanks to goals by Trevor Brooking and Tony Woodcock in Naples.

Sixteen years later, the Three Lions beat the Spaniards in the quarter-finals, triumphing on penalties after a goalless draw at Wembley.

The teams also met in the 1968 quarter-finals, in the days when the last eight was still only part of the qualifying phase. England beat Spain, then the European champions, 3-1 on aggregate.

Bellingham: "I don’t know if I had another half an hour in me!"

Jude Bellingham has also been speaking to ITV:

“Really nice to do it here [in Dortmund] - it’s special for me," the former BVB player said. "But the most important thing is that we’ve come out of it with the win, finding a way.

"That character, mentality; that attitude that anyone can win us the game if they’re given a chance, and Ollie came on and did that tonight. We’re really grateful to him - I don’t know if I had another half an hour in me!” 

England into first ever overseas final

Kane has just reminded me of a stat I had neglected to mention: this is the first time England have ever reached a major-tournament final on foreign soil.

At World Cup 1966 and Euro 2020, England played every game but one Wembley (the exception being their quarter-final win over Ukraine three years ago, which was held in Rome).

Kane: "There's one more left"

England captain Harry Kane has told ITV:

“An amazing achievement. I’m so proud of everyone - every single player, every single [member of] staff, everyone. It’s been a real difficult tournament, and to do what we’ve done away from home is really special.

"But it’s that feeling that there’s one more left, and we need to get that one done on Sunday.”
 

Southgate's substitutions all right on the night

We've had all that talk about Southgate being slow to use his bench - but he made game-changing substitutions tonight. It was another sub, Cole Palmer, who set Ollie Watkins up for his winning goal.

A delirious Gareth Southgate celebrates England's qualification for the final with the team's supporters in Dortmund.

Watkins wins Player of the Match

Watkins' match-winning impact off the bench means UEFA has named the striker as the game's outstanding player.

Watkins: "One more game now"

On British television, England's hero Ollie Watkins has been speaking to ITV.

“Unbelievable! I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks, for weeks," Watkins said. "It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m grateful that I got the opportunity, and I’ve grabbed it with both hands. I’m delighted - delighted.”

He added: "One more game now, one more game."

Southgate emulates Schön and Vogts

England have become the fourth team in Euros history to reach consecutive finals at the tournament. Gareth Southgate is only the third coach to steer a team to successive trophy deciders.

Southgate leads England into another final

Gareth Southgate has come in for immense criticism during this summer's tournament in Germany, but he is now the only England manager in history to lead the team to two major-tournament finals.

Ollie Watkins celebrates his late winner for England in Dortmund.

Opta backing Spain for victory in Berlin

Opta appear to be confident that Spain will come out on top in Sunday's final in Berlin.

Opta's 'supercomputer' gives the Spaniards a 57.30% chance of victory at the Olympiastadion, while England's prospects of triumphing in the German capital are rated back at 42.70%.

England's beat Dutch hoodoo since '96 thrashing

England's win over the Netherlands tonight is, by the way, only their second victory over the Dutch since they walloped the 1988 European champions 4-1 at Euro '96.

It's the first time in 32 years that they have beaten the Dutch in a competitive game, albeit it's only the teams' second such fixture in that period.

That Watkins winner had an xG of 0.06, per The xG Philosophy.

England savour second straight final place

The England players are over in front of their fans, lapping up the acclaim as they now prepare for another Euros final.

Blimey, how the vibes surrounding the England team have now changed. It's absolute jubilation among the English supporters inside the Westfalenstadion.

And to think England were one Bellingham overhead kick away from suffering an Iceland Part Deux.

"Watkins, you absolute beauty"

Former England captain Gary Lineker expresses the feelings of every Three Lions fan there is.

England advance to Spain final clash

England will now play Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday.

Will La Roja win a record fourth European title? Will England win their first piece of major silverware since 1966?

Watkins the hero for England

The first seven minutes aside, England were the dominant force in the first half in Dortmund. It was a wholly more even game after the break - but, just as we looked to be heading for extra time, substitute Ollie Watkins fired in a superb winner for Gareth Southgate's men.

Peeep peeep peeep! England are into their second straight European Championship final!

The Dutch are throwing the kitchen sink at England, unsurprisingly.

Bellingham brings the ball clear, advances over the halfway line and wins a free-kick, to huge cheers from the England fans.

Konsa it was who replaced Saka, by the way.

For the Netherlands, Simons and Dumfries are off for Brobbey and Zirkzee.

England have also made a couple of changes: Gallagher is on, with Mainoo making way. I think I also saw Saka being replaced, but in the excitement I didn't see who came on for him.

Watkins' goal came right at the start of two minutes of time added on, but we're now going to have a little bit more than that.

Not least because both sides are making substitutions.

Two minutes plus stoppage time left in Dortmund. Can either side find a late winner?

England create a decent-ish chance to do so. Shaw's cross from the left zips past Watkins' outstretched leg, but runs through to Palmer.

Palmer has time to control and shoot from the back of the box, but he fires off target!

Veerman clips a ball into the area towads Van Dijk and Weghorst, but Felix Zwayer gives a free-kick to England.

Van Dijk isn't happy with that decision, and takes his remonstrations to far. He's booked for dissent.

Mainoo tries to feed a short ball into Rice on the edge of the box, but he loses it.

The Dutch break, and Saka shoves Gakpo over in free-kick territory. Saka is booked.

That's neat attacking play by the Dutch, who get Reijnders streaking forward on the left.

Reijnders cuts it back low towards Weghorst, who's waiting for it on the penalty spot. Guéhi dives in to get there just ahead of Weghorst, and the chance is lost for the Dutch.

Weghorst wants a penalty for a handball by Guéhi, but he doesn't get one.

England don't really go anywhere with it, but they keep the ball for a good minute or two. That's not entirely bad news for the Three Lions - they have, again, been somewhat guilty of losing their stranglehold on the game in this second 45.

A double change for England. Foden and Kane are off, with Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins on.

For a moment, Saka thinks he's sidefooted England in front - but the flag is up!

Foden slips it right to Walker, who delivers low to Saka at the near post. Saka's finish is high into the net, but Walker was in an offside position when Foden played the ball to him.

England aren't far away from being made to pay for their dangerous breather.

From the left, Gakpo lifts a cross into the box to Weghorst, who nods it down to Simons on the edge of the box.

Simons has space to shoot - but sends his strike straight at Pickford!

Gakpo touches it back for Aké to whip a left-footed ball into the box.

England clear, but where it was they who were winning it right back before, now it's the Dutch.

"England are taking a dangerous breather right now," says former Chelsea right-back Albert Ferrer on Spanish TV. Indeed.

A quarter of an hour to go. A place in the final is up for grabs, and this semi-final is on a knife edge right now.

England do keep the ball for a sustained period now... but when Saka tries to beat Aké, the Arsenal winger flops to the floor in search of a free-kick, and doesn't get one.

The Dutch come back at England, releasing Gakpo into space on the left. Walker is quickly across, dispossessing Gakpo with a sliding tackle - and it's a crucial one. The Dutchman might well have been in on Pickford had Walker not made that challenge.

The Netherlands are enjoying much more of the ball now. England's intensity has dropped off. Time to shuffle the pack, Gareth?

Bellingham is the first player to go into Felix Zwayer's book, after catching De Vrij with a late challenge.

Rice sends a long, high ball forward for Bellingham to chase. Jostling with Schouten, Bellingham can't bring it under his control, and it runs out for a Netherlands goal-kick.

It's a much more even game now.

When the corner comes into the England area, Weghorst is penalised for a foul on Rice.

The Netherlands are pushing England back with a lot more regularity now.

From the left, Gakpo drifts a cross deep into the English box, forcing Pickford to come off his line and punch it behind for a corner.

From the right, Saka tries to fire a quick ball around the corner into Foden, who is lurking just outside the Dutch box. Foden can't pull it down, and the Netherlands bring it clear.

The Netherlands' corner again finds the head of Dumfries, but this time he heads over the bar.

Guéhi brings Simons down on the Dutch right, giving Koeman's men the chance to sling a ball into the mixer.

Veerman delivers... and Pickford produces a fine save! It's Van Dijk who connects with Veerman's cross. Van Dijk's effort was flying into the corner, but Pickford was quick to react.

Schouten tries to feed a low ball into Simons, who has darted into an area on the England right wing. Schouten's ball is too close to Guéhi, who clears the danger.

For pretty much the first time tonight, Gakpo finds space to hare forward, advancing over the halfway line and deep into the England half.

The Dutch then work it right to Veerman, who clips a cross into the box - but overhits his delivery. The ball flies behind for a goal-kick.

From the left, Bellingham prods the ball inside to Kane, who has peeled off into a pocket of space.

Kane tries to dart past Veerman and shoot from range, but Veerman does well to nick the ball off his toes. Kane tumbles to the turf in search of a free-kick, but doesn't get one.

Stones threads a ball out to the right to Walker, who zips forward and tries to send a cross into the middle. His ball is blocked, but England regain possession right away.

Weghorst brings the ball down, spins and plays the ball out to the right to Simons.

Spotting Dumfries' run forward, Simon tries to lift a ball into the right-back, but can't find him. England recover possession.

Rice might have earned himself a yellow when he unsuccessfully tried to tug Reijnders back at the start of that Dutch counter, by the way. He gets away with a warning from Mr Zwayer.

England win it right bak, but when they themselves give it away, Reijnders launches a quick Dutch break.

He slips it wide to Simon, who squares up to Shaw and Guéhi on the corner of the England box. Simon loses it.

Again England pop the ball about just inside the Netherlands half, with the Dutch sitting and waiting.

Bellingham finally feeds it inside to Foden, who in turn plays it out to the left to Shaw. He has space to cross, but his first-time ball is blocked.

Now England do create an opening, but nobody can get on the end of Saka's cross.

Pulling the ball down on the right-hand byline, he cuts it back towards the penalty spot, but no-one is there. The Netherlands clear.

Little to report thus far in the second half. England keep it for a good little while in and around the centre circle, before Walker wins a throw-in on the right.

The question, from an England point of view, is: can they keep their first-half performance going? They're not averse, as we know all too well by now, to letting things drift in the second half.

Peeeep! We're back underway in Dortmund.

Confirmation of HT substitutions

Weghorst is on for Malen for the Dutch, while Shaw replaces Trippier for England.

Weghorst preparing to come on

The Dutch have sent out the Wout signal, it would appear.

Weghorst is being given his final instructions before joining the fray for the second half.

Shaw is, indeed, also about to come on.

Shaw to come on for England?

England's Luke Shaw has been warming up out on the Westfalenstadion pitch. Could he be coming on at half time?

Kane joins Cristiano's club

Another Kane stat, courtesy of Mister Chip: Cristiano Ronaldo is the only other player to have scored at least seven goals at both the Euros and the World Cup.

Denzel Dumfries clears Phil Foden's shot off the goal line, preventing England from taking a 2-1 lead at the Westfalenstadion.

Denzel Dumfries has certainly been in the thick of the action today.

"Best, most fluent and most attacking England have been all summer"

These are my thoughts exactly.

Historic Harry

Kane's leveller for England means he now has six career goals in European Championship knockout games - more than any other player.

Peeep peeep peeep! It's level at the break in Dortmund.

Ever since Xavi Simon's stunning early opener for the Netherlands, England have had the vast majority of the play. They only have Harry Kane's equaliser to show for their dominance, though.

For the first time in a long while, the Netherlands keep the ball for a prolonged period in the England half.

Veerman finally whips a delivery into Aké on the penalty spot, where the Manchester City defend tries to head it on towards Pickford's far corner. His header flies high and into the stands.

We're into the first of three minutes of time added on in Dortmund.

The Dutch will be pleased to be level at the break; they've been second best to England.

England come at the Dutch again. Saka jinks his way across the top of the box, in search of space to shoot.

He doesn't find it, so slips it out to Bellingham to his left. Bellingham plays Trippier into a crossing position on the left-hand byline... but Trippier's ball into the box is right down Verbruggen's gullet.

Bellingham does very well to beat De Vrij to the ball on the left. He then drills a low cross into the area, where Van Dijk boots it away.

There are cheers from the England fans when Simons shanks a pass out to Dumfries straight out of play.

England remain on top; can they make their dominance count before half time?

Kane lifts a cross into the area, where Van Dijk heads it away.

As the Dutch prepare to launch a break, Mainoo is in quickly to win the ball back - not for the first time tonight. He shoots from the edge of the area, but his strike is deflected away from goal.

Mainoo lifts the ball into Walker, who finally touches it back to Mainoo.

The Manchester United midfielder backheels it to Foden, who again has found a pocket of space in a dangerous position.

Cutting inside onto his left foot, Foden bends a low shot towards Verbruggen's bottom right-hand corner, but it's not hit powerfully enough. The Dutch keeper gets down to claim with relative ease.

England quickly reclaim possession; they've been the dominant force pretty much ever since Simon's opener.

England keep it for a sustained period just inside the Netherlands half, before Guéhi brings it forward and feeds it to Bellingham.

Bellingham tries to twist and turn his way into space to do damage to the Dutch defence, but in the end plays his pass just behind Trippier. It runs out for a throw-in.

Depay is indeed off. Koeman replaces him with Joey Veerman.

Again England come forward dangerously, with Mainoo leading the attack.

Mainoo has Walker in acres of space to his right, but tries to dink a central ball in behind the Dutch defence for Kane. The striker isn't on the same wavelength, and the Netherlands clear.

Now England hit the woodwork!

Having seen Lamine Yamal's goal for Spain yesterday, Foden decides he'd very much luck to do the same. Receiving just outside of the box, he cuts in from the right and bends a shot towards Verbruggen's far top corner - but it bounces off the upright and out!

Kane tries to zip a ball into Bellingham, who has made a haring run into the Dutch box.

It's cut out, but Mainoo quickly wins the ball back.

From the corner, Dumfries heads against the crossbar! He gets plenty of welly behind his effort, but it's just too high.

It's been a breathless first half hour in Dortmund.

It's been a few minutes since England allowed the Netherlands to launch an attack of any substance, but Ronald Koeman's men do come forward threateningly here.

The ball is fed into Malen's run towards the edge of the area, where only a last-ditch Walker challenge prevents the Dutchman from connecting with a shot.

Again Foden brings it forward menacingly, but he and Bellingham can't combine on the edge of the box. The ball runs through to Verbruggen.

We've just seen the goal-line technology animation of that almost-goal by Foden. It clearly doesn't cross the line, but it's extremely encouraging stuff from Foden nonetheless.

Foden is furious. Midway inside the Dutch half, he picks Dumfries' pocket and sets off towards the penalty box. Dumfries just catches him slightly, though, knocking him sufficiently off his balance to prevent him from continuing his run.

It's surely a foul, but Mr Zwayer says no. Foden cannot believe it.

Back come England - and Foden is so close to scoring a sublime goal!

Found by Mainoo in the box, he jinks his way into the six-yard box, where he pokes a low shot underneath Verbruggen. It looks like it has crept over the line before it is cleared by Dumfries - but Felix Zwayer's smartwatch says no! 

England have responded ever so well to that opening goal by Simons.

Having levelled through Kane's penalty, Southgate's men come at the Dutch in search of a second. Dropping deep on the left, Kane pings a crossfield pass to Walker, who is in space to cross on the right.

Walker slips it into the area, but can't find anyone in a white shirt.

That's Kane's 66th goal for England, and the Three Lions are level inside 10 minutes.

It's Kane's third goal of the tournament: he draws level with five players, including the Netherlands' Cody Gakpo, as Euro 2024's joint-top scorer. 

Dumfries is booked for the foul.

Penalty given!

Yep, I'm just just looking at the replay now and Dumfries clearly catches Kane.

Zwayer is going to have a look at it!

England could be given the chance to level here.

Now Saka dribbles his way into the Dutch area, before his attempted shot is blocked.

The loose ball falls to Kane... who volleys over! He appeals for a penalty, complaining that Dumfries caught him late as he took his shot. 

And VAR is having a look at it...

That's bright play from Kane; how often have we been able to say that this summer?

Picking up the ball some 35 yards or so out from goal, Kane unleashes a bouncing shot that zips off the wet turf and towards Vebruggen's right-hand corner. The Dutch keeper gets down quickly to parry.

Trippier's cross, sent deep to the far post, finds Rice's run. Rice tries to touch the ball down to Kane, who's waiting in the middle, but he can't find his team-mate.

England win another free-kick deep inside the Dutch half, when Gakpo barges Saka over.

Again Foden and Trippier stand over the delivery, this time from the right.

England win a free-kick on the left, which Trippier and Foden stand over. Can the Three Lions snatch a quickfire leveller?

No: at least, not just yet. Foden's delivery is headed away.

How can England respond to that early setback? They've now conceded the first goal in each of their last three games at the Euros.

Trippier can be seen signalling to his team-mates with a 'keep calm' gesture.

England respond with a quick break, Bellingham leading the charge.

Arriving at the edge of the Dutch box, Bellingham feeds it wide to Saka on the right. He clips a curling cross over to the far post, but nobody in a white shirt can connect with the delivery.

To huge roars of approval from the Dutch fans, the Netherlands create their first attack of substance.

Cutting in from the right, Simons carries the ball forward towards the England box, before trying to slip a low ball into Malen's run into the danger area. His pass can't find Malen, and England clear.

The rain no longer appears to be tipping down in Dortmund, by the way.

England keep the ball for a good minute or so, without really going anyway. Finally, Foden is dispossessed just inside the Dutch half, but Felix Zwayer says Schouten won the ball back illegally. Free-kick to the English.

Oh the right, Dumfries lifts a high ball over the top for Malen to chase, but the winger had stepped into an offside position. The flag is up.

Who will join Spain in the final in Berlin on Sunday? We're about to find out.

Peeeep! We're underway!

Last look at the line-ups in Dortmund

A final reminder of the teams:

Netherlands

Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké, Schouten, Reijnders, Malen, Simons, Gakpo, Depay.

England

Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier, Foden, Bellingham, Kane.

Now for the Dutch national anthem, "Wilhelmus". Going just on the volume with which the anthems were sung, the Netherlands' supporters are definitely in the majority in Dortmund.

Out come the teams!

The two sides make their way out onto the pitch in Dortmund. Time for the anthems: "God Save the King" up first.

Kick-off approaching in Dortmund!

The teams are in the tunnel, where England captain Harry Kane can be seen having a pre-match chinwag with Felix Zwayer.

Just under 10 minutes until kick-off in Dortmund. Ooh, can't wait.

England's players go through their paces ahead of kick-off at the Westfalenstadion.

Who is the VAR?

Felix Zwayer will be supported by a fellow German in the VAR booth: Bastian Dankert will be today's video assistant.

Who is the referee?

Tonight’s referee will be Germany’s Felix Zwayer. He has been appointed to the game despite the fact that he has a bit of history with Jude Bellingham. 

In 2021, while still a Borussia Dortmund player, Bellingham was fined €40,000 for criticising Zwayer over his performance in a defeat to Bayern Munich, declaring: "You give a referee that has match-fixed before the biggest game in Germany - what do you expect?”

Bellingham was referring to the six-month ban that Zwayer served in 2005, four years before becoming a Bundesliga referee, over his involvement in a match-fixing scandal. 

AS USA's Calum Roche has the full lowdown on Zwayer.

EURO 2024

Netherlands - England: Times, how to watch on TV, stream online | Euro 2024

By the way, if you're wondering where you can watch today's game online or on TV, let me point your in the direction of our guide on how to tune in.

The Dutch are also out and giving those hammies a pre-game stretch.

Warm-ups underway in Dortmund

The England players are out and limbering up on the Westfalenstadion pitch.

When did the Netherlands and England last meet?

In the teams’ most recent meeting, which Ronald Koeman alluded to in his comments below, the Netherlands were 3-1 winners in the semi-finals of the 2018/19 UEFA Nations League.

Marcus Rashford’s penalty gave England a first-half lead, but Matthijs De Ligt forced extra time with a 73rd-minute header, before a Kyle Walker own goal and a Quincy Promes strike secured victory for the Dutch.

The Netherlands were also coached by Koeman that day.

Dutch have the upper hand over past three decades

It’s hard to disagree that England's Euro '96 walloping of the Netherlands was one of the Three Lions' great nights. Since then, however, the English have not fared well against the Dutch. Indeed, they have only won once in nine meetings in all competitions.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, have beaten the English four times since 1996.

"Greatest England performance"

Alan Shearer, who scored twice in that 4-1 triumph 28 years ago, has described the game as the “greatest England performance in my lifetime”.

Writing in The Athletic, Shearer looked back on his second goal of the night - a thunderous finish at the end of a neat move that cut the Dutch to ribbons. It may just be my favourite ever England goal. 

“I’ve got my hands in the air, screaming for Teddy to pass to me, and then I’m absolutely lashing the ball inside the top corner and I’m off celebrating and all of us - players, staff, supporters - are in dreamland.”

What is England and the Netherlands' H2H record?

The Dutch and the English will today be meeting for the fourth time at a major tournament - and the first time ever in a knockout tie. So far, they each have one win to their name.

After a 3-1 victory for Dutch at Euro ’88, the teams drew 0-0 at the World Cup two years later, before England swept to a famous 4-1 win at Euro ’96.

What the coaches said: Southgate

Pouring down in Dortmund

The fans inside the Westfalenstadion are not exactly basking in balmy summer sunshine.

Netherlands' head coach Ronald Koeman waves to the crowd in Dortmund ahead of his team's Euro 2024 semi-final against England.

What the coaches said: Koeman

Can Dutch set up Spain rematch?

Were the Dutch to beat England tonight, they would qualify for their first major-tournament final since the 2010 World Cup.

And they would face the same opposition: 14 years ago in South Africa, they were beaten to the World Cup trophy by Spain, after Andrés Iniesta netted a 116th-minute winner for La Roja.

When were the Netherlands last in Euro semi-finals?

While England are preparing for a second straight Euros semi-final, the Netherlands are in the tournament’s last four for the first time since 2004. 

That defeat to Portugal 20 years ago was their third semi-final loss in the space of four Euros, having also exited at that stage in 1992 and 2000.

The Dutch haven’t made it to the tournamen's final since Euro ’88, when they won their first and only piece of major silverware.

England's Jude Bellingham, who used to play his club football at the Westfalenstadion, takes in tonight's surroundings ahead of kick-off.

Dutch descend on Dortmund

Given Dortmund's proximity to the Netherlands, there is a huge Dutch contingent in the German city tonight.

Malen comes into Dutch XI

Koeman also makes just the one change to his side, replacing Steven Bergwijn with Donyell Malen.

Guéhi back for England

Southgate makes one change to the team that started the quarter-final against Switzerland, restoring Marc Guéhi to the line-up following the defender’s return from suspension. Ezri Konsa, who didn’t do much to deserve losing his place in the side, drops back to the bench.

One imagines that England will again play with a back three.

England line-up also confirmed

England's team has dropped, too. Southgate has gone with: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guéhi, Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier, Foden, Bellingham, Kane.

Netherlands line-up confirmed

Ronald Koeman has named his starting XI for tonight's semi-final. It is: Verbruggen, Dumfries, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké, Schouten, Reijnders, Malen, Simons, Gakpo, Depay.

How did the Netherlands reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals?

As for the Dutch: they have been better than England, certainly, but they haven’t lit the tournament up, either. 

Ronald Koeman’s men only finished third in Group D, having been outplayed by Austria on their way to a surprise defeat in their final first-round game.

The Netherlands were then dominant against Romania in the last 16, but were again second best for a large chunk of their quarter-final win over Turkey. 

The 1988 European champions had to come from behind against the Turks, edging to a 2-1 win over Vincenzo Montella’s team.

Three Lions check in at Westfalenstadion

The England squad has arrived at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion - what a stadium for this occasion - and have been having the traditional pre-match stroll on the pitch.

Another semi for Southgate

But for all the criticism of England’s stodgy displays, they are in their third semi-final in four major tournaments under Gareth Southgate.

Before Southgate took over from Sam Allardyce in 2016, England had reached four major semi-finals in their entire history.

How did England reach the Euro 2024 semi-finals?

So far, England have offered up little indication that they can offer up a statement performance in Dortmund today. The Three Lions topped Group C despite winning just one game - and in the last 16, the drab displays continued when they beat Slovakia by the absolute skin of their teeth.

But for a Jude Bellingham worldie with seconds left, England’s Euro 2024 campaign would be a distant memory by this point. However, Bellingham’s overhead kick kept them in it, before Harry Kane’s header sent Gareth Southgate’s men into the quarter-finals. 

In the last eight, England were slightly better against Switzerland, but again needed a late equaliser - this time from Bukayo Saka - to stay alive. When the tie went to penalties, though, the English did for once look in complete control. Five flawless spot-kicks, coupled with Jordan Pickford’s save to deny Manuel Akanji, earned the Euro 2020 finalists a second straight semi-final place. 

Spain fully merit their 'favourites' tag

It’s certainly hard to disagree with either the bookies or Opta. Spain have, without the minutest shadow of a doubt, the team of the tournament.

Unless England or the Netherlands turn in a real statement performance today, the winners of this second semi-final have to be the underdogs on Sunday.

Opta backing Spain for Euro 2024 triumph

Statisticians Opta also feel that Spain are now very much in pole position for glory in Germany: they give Luis de la Fuente's men a 59.64% chance of lifting the team's first major trophy since La Roja were victorious at Euro 2012.

Sizzling Spain the bookies' pick

Having won their sixth game out of six at Euro 2024, Spain are the bookmakers’ favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy at the Olympiastadion.

Per Oddschecker, the Spaniards are rated at -175 to -185 to win the tournament, ahead of England on +270 to +275 and the Netherlands on +500 to +550.

Spain await in final after Lamine lights up semi

In yesterday’s first semi-final, Spain stamped their ticket to Berlin with a 2-1 win over France, thanks chiefly to teenage starlet Lamine Yamal.

Lamine, who isn’t 17 until Saturday, bent in a stunning equaliser and generally terrorised the French defence, on his way to being deservedly named ‘player of the match’.

Dani Olmo, in for the injured Pedri, scored the winner for Spain, who on Sunday will be chasing a record fourth European title.

Netherlands vs England: welcome!

Hello! After Spain booked their place in the Euro 2024 final yesterday, the Netherlands and England will now duke it out for the right to face La Roja in Berlin this weekend.

England are aiming to reach their second straight European Championship trophy decider, and seal a first ever appearance in a major final played abroad. 

The Dutch, meanwhile, are chasing a first Euros final spot since they won the tournament 36 years ago.

Kick-off in Dortmund is at 3pm ET/12 noon PT.