Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman hit out at the decision to award England a penalty following his team's Euro 2024 exit - and eagle-eyed fans backed his claims up on social media
Furious Netherlands fans have taken to social media to complain over a handball in the build-up to England's penalty following their heartbreaking Euro 2024 exit.
But the manner of the victory for Gareth Southgate's side has only emboldened the feeling among Three Lions supporters that Sunday's Euro 2024 final against Spain is a date with destiny - and one where the trophy will be heading home with Harry Kane and co.
The Dutch were in dreamland in Dortmund after seven minutes when Xavi Simons lashed a ferocious strike beyond Jordan Pickford to break the deadlock. But their joy turned into a nightmare as Harry Kane had restored parity from the penalty spot midway through the first-half before Ollie Watkins plundered a dramatic 90th minute winner.
The decision to award England a penalty after Kane was caught on the foot by Denzel Dumfries divided opinions online - and the call has now been scrutinised further following an apparent handball by Bukayo Saka in the move leading up to the spot-kick.
Fans pointed out that England were fortunate to get the decision given the ball seemed to ricochet onto Saka's hand in the area before Kane's initial strike. One fan wrote: "VAR even missed or didn't care about Saka's handball on both hands before the penalty situation. Lucky England should thank the refs."
Another fan claimed there had been more than one infringement, adding: "Tweet out the first handball as well, he didn't just touch it once in this situation but multiple times."
Someone else called for a complete VAR overhaul, arguing: "VAR is a disgrace. In the Belgium gamethe VAR went back as much as 20+ secs. Saka's handball was directly prior to the supposed foul. Game is rigged. Skip VAR, switch to referrals like in hockey." Another social media user wrote: "This handball moment from Saka is what cost Netherlands the game. VAR should be used, and Kane did not deserve that penalty kick.
The decision to penalise Denzel Dumfries for following through on Kane after the England striker had sent a shot over Bart Verbruggen's crossbar was also a huge topic of debate. Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman was livid over the decision and insisted that a spot-kick should never have been awarded.
Speaking post-match, he said: "In my opinion it should not have been a penalty. He kicked the ball and the boots touched. I think that we cannot play properly football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football."
Koeman was magnanimous in defeat on the whole, though, and also said: "England showed great football in the first half after being 1-0 down. It's football. If you watch all the matches of the Spanish national team they are more offensive with wingers and [playing] football from the back and ball position and you need to stop that.
"But England are in the final and have the possibility to win it. Maybe from the outside because Spain are playing from a high level [they are favourites] but England can stop them, why not."
England's victory, and the circumstances around it, has only strengthened the resolve of fans in Germany that, at long last, 'it's coming home'.
Ashley Beaumont, 35, from Birmingham, who runs a motorcycle sales firm said: "This is amazing. The team has been criticised but they never give up. But it will be a tough game in Berlin, the Spanish look a very good team."
Hospital anaesthetist Simon Courtman, 56, from Plymouth, Devon: "It has been written in the stars. It is meant to be. We are not quite sure how we got this far but we have. Now for Berlin."
Fil Sollof, 59, a property services owner, said: "Spain will be tough but we can do it. Harry Kane will be the hero again."
At home even Labour's new intake of MPs were celebrating the win. Leeds United and Harlow Town fan Chris Vince, who won the marginal seat of Harlow, said: "What a performance from England. It's just fantastic that we reach the finals of the Euros and got a Labour government in under a week.
"Well done to Gareth Southgate and the team. We are very proud of them."
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