Xavi Simons put the Netherlands ahead in the seventh minute, capitalizing on an error by Declan Rice. This early goal set the stage for a fiercely contested match, with England scrambling to regain their footing. However, 11 minutes after the Netherlands' opening goal, England found themselves back in the game under controversial circumstances. Saka, manoeuvring skillfully into the penalty area, had his initial shot blocked. But the rebound fell to Kane, who missed the target but was subsequently fouled by Denzel Dumfries. VAR intervened, and after a review, the referee awarded a penalty to England and the England skipper converted the spot-kick to level the score.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
However, a shred of new video evidence has surfaced, showing that just before Kane's foul, the ball appeared to touch Saka's hand. As Saka's blocked shot rebounded, it seemed to brush his right hand and possibly his left arm before Kane attempted his shot. This potential handball was not spotted by the VAR officials, further fueling the controversy surrounding the penalty decision.
WHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Sports writer, Ewan MacKenna, uploaded a video of the handball incident on X and wrote: "Not only was VAR not in position under guidelines to tell ref to look at monitor for Kane penalty, it also neglected to rewind two seconds to show Saka handballing it into his path. I really don't think pros looking at TV can be that incompetent. Stinks. #england #netherlands."
DID YOU KNOW?
Adding to the controversy was the appointment of Felix Zwayer as the match referee. Zwayer, who had previously served a six-month ban for his involvement in a 2005 match-fixing scandal, faced scrutiny over his suitability for officiating such a high-stakes match. UEFA had reviewed and supported his appointment, but the penalty decision reignited debates over his credibility and judgment.
In the 90th minute, another controversial decision arose when the Netherlands felt they were denied a rightful corner after John Stones headed the ball out. Instead, Zwayer awarded a goal kick to England. The Three Lions capitalized on this decision, launching a swift counterattack that culminated in Ollie Watkins scoring the winning goal.
Virgil van Dijk Felix Zwayer Netherlands England Euro 2024
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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
With the 2-1 victory, England secured their place in the Euro 2024 final and are set to face Spain. This marks the second consecutive European Championship final for England, who are determined to lift their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. The squad, led by Gareth Southgate, has shown resilience and adaptability throughout the tournament and now stands on the brink of potential glory.
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