The more rabbits England pull out of the hat, the more it feels as if this is their time. They survived more jeopardy during this absorbing semi-final triumph over a decent but hardly awe-inspiring Netherlands, and there were moments when the game seemed to be slipping away from them. With Ronald Koeman adjusting his tactics midway through the first half and the Dutch pushing as extra time beckoned, the fear was that this was going to be another night of questions about Gareth Southgate’s touchline decisions.
But there is something magical about a team that can keep taking blows but somehow find ways to clamber off the canvas. For here, after the wonder of Jude Bellingham’s overhead kick against Slovakia and the nerveless penalty shootout against Switzerland, was a moment that will go stand the test of time – and, thanks to Ollie Watkins and Cole Palmer, will forever serve as the perfect riposte to those who have pinned the blame for every disappointment on on Southgate’s in-game management.
England’s manager has been derided, mocked and even showered with empty cups of beer. His tactics have been questioned and he has been told that he always get easy draws. But after Southgate turned to his bench with 10 minutes left here, how satisfying it must have been for the two players he introduced for a tiring Harry Kane and Phil Foden to be the architects of the goal that carried England into their first ever final overseas.
There could be no better exhibition of the spirit instilled by Southgate than when Watkins took a pass from Palmer in the 90th minute, held off Stefan de Vrij and then turned sharply before making it 2-1 with an angled shot into the far corner.
In a different environment, Watkins would never have been in the right frame of mind to make such a stunning impact. The Aston Villa striker has not played since England’s second game, the dispiriting draw with Denmark that heaped pressure on Southgate, and knows that few jobs in football are more thankless than being Kane’s back-up.
Yet there have been various positive contributions from Southgate’s substitutes during these Euros. This team, while far from perfect, has developed priceless resilience. It can be glimpsed in the defending from Marc Guéhi, who returned from suspension to make a huge block on Wout Weghorst in the second half, and the response after the Netherlands went ahead with a special goal from Xavi Simons.
Behind for a third successive game, England refused to panic. Driven on by the 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, once again full of magnificent little touches in midfield, they were level when Kane equalised from the spot after a foul by Denzel Demfries. And at times, with Bukayo Saka irrepressible on the right and Foden having his best game of the tournament, there were moments in the first half when it seemed England would run away with it. That they failed to kill the game there and then, though, will be a source of concern for Southgate. There cannot be a similar generosity against Spain in Sunday’s final in Berlin.
But thoughts of dealing with Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Rodri can wait. For now, England can revel in the way that they responded to a bright start from the Dutch.
There were structural issues down England’s left early on. They paid after seven minutes, when Guéhi’s clearing header fell to Declan Rice, who was slow to move his feet and quickly dispossessed by Simons.
In a tournament of great goals by wonderkids, here was another one. Simons advanced with one thought in his mind, any doubt banished by John Stones backing off. A few yards outside the area, the midfielder laced a right-footed effort into the far corner, the velocity stunning Jordan Pickford, who was beaten by power despite getting a hand to the ball.
Over on the left, Kieran Trippier called for calm and Rice regained his composure. England, again in a 3-4-2-1, took belief from Kane moving with greater freedom.
The captain had a point to prove about his fitness. Kane looked stronger, holding defenders off, and he led the fightback. England sensed a way back when their No 9, having pulled away from Virgil van Dijk, tested Bart Verbruggen from 25 yards.
Saka was next to drive forward, wriggling away from Nathan Aké, who was having a torrid time. Desperation taking over the Dutch defence, they panicked when the ball reached Kane, who shot over a split second before being caught by Dumfries.
It was a clear foul, albeit one that needed a video assistant referee review, and Kane stood over his first penalty in a tournament since his miss against France. Any nerves? No chance. Verbruggen guessed correctly, diving to his right, but Kane’s shot was too hard and too close to the corner.
England poured forward, Kyle Walker supporting Saka with a stream of overlapping runs. Foden was untouchable for a while. One curling shot hit the woodwork; another was cleared off the line by Dumfries.
The Netherlands right-back was having quite the half. There was a warning for England when Dumfries headed a corner against the bar. But the Dutch were hanging on. Mainoo, who took the breath away with one delightful mid-air turn, was running midfield.
Koeman responded, the hamstrung Memphis Depay replaced by Joey Veerman, who stiffened midfield. It made a difference. Koeman also changed the complexion of his attack at half-time, Donyell Malen making way for Weghorst.
Despite bringing Luke Shaw on for Trippier, England struggled to regain their flow. They were no longer working the ball to Saka and Jude Bellingham was blunted. Pickford denied Aké after a poorly defended free-kick.
The Dutch had Tijani Reijnders, Jerdy Schouten and Veerman dictating the tempo. Southgate reacted after Saka had a goal disallowed for offside against Walker, Watkins and Palmer coming on.
The game hung in the balance. Cody Gakpo had stirred on the left for the Netherlands. Palmer sliced over but he kept his head up. England attacked again and Palmer cleverly found Watkins, whose unerring finish gave Verbruggen no chance.
There was no time left. Kane was on the touchline, shouting instructions alongside Southgate. Nobody could doubt England’s togetherness. They will not be favourites against Spain, but they should not be underestimated.
