Netherlands v England live – European Championship latest as England equalise early Netherlands opener

LAST-MINUTE WATKINS STRIKE SENDS ENGLAND TO BERLIN

A fantastic finish from substitute Ollie Watkins, in the last of the 90 minutes, gave England an incredible win over Netherlands. They will play Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday.

Both sides began positively, but it was Netherlands who took the lead early, Declan Rice losing the ball and Xavi Simons drilling home a beauty, as he fell, from the edge of the box – though a keeper with longer arms than Jordan Pickford would probably have made the save.

England, though, forced their way back into the game with Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden to the fore. Then, on 16 minutes, Harry Kane got off a decent shot, only to be caught by Denzel Dumfries, making an attempt to block, in his follow-through. He stayed down and eventually VAR took an interest, the referee coming over and deciding the award a penalty; Kane drilled home into the bottom-left corner.

Though England dominated the remainder of the half, Dumfries headed against the bar with the Pickford beaten before Foden unfurled a curler reminiscent of Lamine Yamal’s goal for Spain last evening, but his effort almost as brilliant, crashed against the angle.

The second half was an altogether duller affair, Netherlands suffocating England in midfield. But Gareth Southgate was positive and decisive with his changes, and received his reward when Cole Palmer found Watkins, who did exactly what he was brought on to do and sent England to Berlin.

England have done it! They've reached their first final outside of their own country, their second Euros final in a row, and will meet Spain in the final of Euro 2024! An amazing finish gave us an amazing finish, and Ollie Watkins did literally Ollie Watkins to get England into the final. I bet Harry Kane's glad he was taken off now!

Pace in behind, passes into the box.

Brobbey and Zirkzee for Dumfries and Simons for Netherlands - go on lads, it's your big chance! - and Gallagher replaces Mainoo, along with Konsa for Saka for England.

In the England end, mayham!

GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-2 ENGLAND (WATKINS) OLIVER WATKINS HAS WON IT FOR ENGLAND! Palmer feeds into the box, Watkins darting towards him, back to goal. But De Vrij is slow so he takes a fine first touch, turns, and in an instant, leathers an expert's finish through the defender's legs into the far corner! In a second, his life has changed, and England are going to play Spain in the final of Euro 2024! The Dutch are devastated Football is brutal! Football is brilliant!

Netherlands have jiggered England with a half-time tactical change, going narrower and tighter in midfield BUT OH MY DAAAAAAYS!

Lovely pass, and Shaw's first touch is delicious, setting him for a cross, but when he whips low ands hard, Watkins can't quite get there. The ball ends up on the other side with Palmer, and he tries a far-post curler, but ends up with fade not draw.

And Stones gets to it before Van Dijk, only for the ref to give a goalkick. Van Dijk is booked for sharing his thoughts on this oversight.

Where a mistake wins it. Both teams, though, are trying to make sure that's them rather than make sure it's not them who loses it. And, as I type. Gakpo drives at the England defence so Saka intervenes and is booked. Free-kick Holland, 30 yards out, left of centre.

There's more snap about England, but then Netherlands spring their press and Reijnders goes down the left, crossing low ... only for Guehi to arrive before Weghorst then, when he slips, he's up sharply to block. That's excellent defending.

I prefer Toney to Watkins, but the latter is a threat in behind, while Foden's barely had a touch second half and Palmer has that ability to refocus a game to make it all about him; I love the way he's able to slow the pace of things.

Watkins for Kane, who waves an arm, unhappy, and Palmer for Foden.

He cuts back superbly, punching into the path of Saka, who opens body to punch an expert's finish inside the near post. Lovely goal, but Walker went too soon and up goes the flag.

Will soon be with us. Kane, Saka and Foden going off?

But his ball in is hopeful and Rice head clear. England are letting Holland play here; they look tired and need fresh legs and ideas. And they almost fall behind before they can act, Weghorst winning a ball pumped into the box which then falls kindly for Siuons, unmarked on the edge ... but he can't introduce laces to ball, scuffing into the ground for Pickford to save.

Bowen too, apparently, though I can't imagine taking off any of those who are on for him - though he's an excellent player.

Our commentary team have just said exactly the same. Southgate doesn't like to show his hand early, apparently, but I don't get that: he's holding better cards than Koeman, but they're useless if they're not on the table.

Gareth Southgate's in-game management has been criticised and, though I know he's giving a good XI a chance to sort things, there are 17 minutes of a semi left: it's time to give his frankly ludicrously good bench a chance to do what it's there for.

And De Vrij, who's having a fine tournament, gets the first so when Bellingham ploughs into him, he's inevitably booked.