The fact that the referee left the field so quickly says it all

The second semi-final of the European Championship was marked by some controversy due to a penalty decision, following a VAR review, which allowed England to equalize (1-1) against the Netherlands after Xavi Simons had opened the scoring.

Xavi Simons' goal had given the Netherlands an early lead, igniting hope among Dutch fans. However, the tide turned when the referee, after consulting the VAR, awarded England a penalty. This decision came after a moment of contact between Denzel Dumfries and Harry Kane, which the referee deemed worthy of a spot-kick. Kane converted the penalty, bringing England back into the game and setting the stage for a tense second half.

The Dutch players did not hide their frustration after the final whistle of a match that ended with a 2-1 victory for England, sealed by Ollie Watkins near the end. The quick departure of the referee from the pitch fueled further discontent among the Dutch team and their supporters. "The fact that the referee left the field so quickly says it all. But I don't want to get into that. All I know is that it hurts a lot to lose like this. Giving everything and losing in the last minute. I felt we were going to make it 2-1, but we couldn't and we left empty-handed. I don't know what to say," said captain Virgil van Dijk.

Midfielder Joey Veerman also expressed his dismay, pointing out the challenges of modern refereeing decisions influenced by VAR. "When everything is seen in slow motion and there's a moment of contact, we know that a referee like this will point to the penalty spot," he commented. Veerman's remarks highlighted a growing sentiment among players and fans about the impact of VAR on the flow and outcome of the game.

Dumfries, who was directly involved in the controversial incident, provided his perspective on the situation. "I wanted to block the shot and simply missed the ball. Yes, there was contact. It's awful to be in that situation because I didn't do it on purpose and everything happens in a fraction of a second. You know VAR can intervene. They called a penalty," he analyzed. Dumfries' candid explanation underscored the fine margins and split-second decisions that define football matches, especially at such a high level of competition.

The controversy did not overshadow the resilience and determination displayed by both teams. England's ability to capitalize on the penalty and then find a late winner through Watkins exemplified their fighting spirit. The win secured their place in the Euro 2024 final, where they will face Spain in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.

For the Netherlands, the match was a painful reminder of the unpredictable nature of football. Despite their strong performance and early lead, they were unable to hold off England's comeback. The Dutch team, though disappointed, will need to regroup and focus on future challenges, using this experience as motivation to improve and come back stronger.

As discussions about VAR and refereeing decisions continue to dominate the post-match analysis, the focus will eventually shift to the upcoming final. England, buoyed by their controversial yet hard-fought victory, will be aiming to lift their first European Championship trophy. Meanwhile, the Netherlands will reflect on what might have been, learning from the experience and preparing for their next opportunity to compete at the highest level.