England have reached the Euro 2024 final after running out 2-1 winners over the Netherlands in their semi-final at the Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday night.
Ronald Koeman’s charges opened the scoring after seven minutes, Xavi Simons dispossessing Declan Rice and firing home from the edge of the box.
However, England restored parity just 11 minutes later as Denzel Dumfries was adjudged to have fouled Harry Kane in the Netherlands box.
Referee Felix Zwayer consulted the VAR monitor after Kane went to ground following contact from the Netherlands defender just as he got his shot away.
A penalty was awarded, and the England captain duly stepped up and slammed the ball home into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 in the Euro 2024 encounter.
Jamie Carragher disagrees with England penalty decision
The referee’s decision led to much debate on social media, and even former England international Jamie Carragher wasn’t convinced.
“Never a penalty,” the Liverpool cult hero wrote on X.
ITV Sport pundit Lee Dixon also felt it wasn’t a penalty, although he was happy that it was awarded and enabled England to equalise.
“I’m pleased, don’t get me wrong but you have to challenge for the ball,” the Arsenal icon said on ITV1. “I don’t think it’s a penalty but I don’t care.”
Ollie Watkins rises to the occasion as England reach Euro 2024 final
Although both teams continued to threaten in the opening 45 minutes, neither could find another goal come half-time.
The second half was a more muted affair for the most part, but just as it looked like extra time beckoned, England delivered.
Ollie Watkins latched on to a through-ball from fellow substitute Cole Palmer, turned Stefan de Vrij in the box and slammed a low effort home just as the clock hit 90 minutes.
Gareth Southgate’s charges will now contest the Euro 2024 final against Spain at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday, 8pm BST kick-off.