England have been handed a primary half lifeline of their Euro 2024 semi-final in opposition to the Netherlands after being awarded a mushy penalty courtesy of VAR.
A speculative effort from Xavi Simons put the Dutch into an early lead when the play-maker gained possession from Declan Rice excessive up the pitch and drove in the direction of aim.
However Harry Kane was gifted the possibility to equalise from 12 yards just a few minutes later when he made contact with the boot of Denzel Dumfries when taking a shot within the field. A VAR evaluation suggested referee Felix Zwayer take one other look and he bizarrely pointed to the spot.
England’s tails have been up after that and it was the very best half of soccer that Gareth Soutgate’s aspect have performed on the match by a ways. By the point the interval got here, they may have been forward, with Phil Foden main the cost – the FWA Footballer of the Yr had as soon as close-range effort stopped on the goal-line, whereas one other struck the publish from distance.
However Dumfries additionally hit the bar for Netherlands at a nook, highlighting there’s nonetheless a menace.
GK: Jordan Pickford – 4/10 – The shot from Simons, though powerfully struck, was inside attain.
CB: Kyle Walker – 7/10 – Should have accomplished extra to shut Simons down in that second to forestall the shot from being taken within the first place. Performed an vital function on the ball retaining England excessive.
CB: John Stones – 6/10 – Protected against any sort of direct centre ahead menace.
CB: Marc Guehi – 6/10 – Understandably not as adventurous as Walker on the opposite aspect of the again three however just about flawless together with his passing.
RM: Bukayo Saka – 6/10 – Not as concerned as others like Bellingham or Foden nevertheless it his jinking run inside and blocked shot that resulted in Kane successful the penalty.
CM: Declan Rice – 4/10 – Weak in his duel with Simons when he misplaced the ball that instantly led to England falling behind within the opening levels.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – 8/10 – Appeared to essentially thrive linking up with two quantity 10s discovering house in pockets forward of him.
LM: Kieran Trippier – 7/10 – Intentionally occupied a extremely excessive place that appeared to stifle the attacking menace of Dumfries.
AM: Phil Foden – 9/10 – Simply his finest 45 minutes of the summer time. Had one effort stopped on the road after dancing by way of the Dutch defence and later hit the publish too.
AM: Jude Bellingham – 8/10 – When he began to get a foothold within the recreation at 1-0 down, England all of the sudden regarded a distinct beast.
ST: Harry Kane – 7/10 – Did not deserve a penalty when he made contact with Dumfries, quite than the opposite means spherical, however he transformed it with such confidence.
