DORTMUND – Ollie Watkins netted a spectacular injury-time goal as England triumphed over the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday, setting the stage for a Euro 2024 final clash with Spain in Berlin.

The evening started poorly for England, as Xavi Simons provided the Netherlands with an early lead in the semi-final in Dortmund.

However, England soon equalized through a Harry Kane penalty following a controversial VAR decision by German referee Felix Zwayer, and the match seemed headed for extra time until Watkins scored.

Substituting for Kane, Watkins received a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer with his back to the goal in the first minute of stoppage time, turned, and shot low into the far corner, leaving the Netherlands stunned.

Gareth Southgate’s England side has rarely been convincing this campaign, but they have advanced to their second consecutive European Championship final, dreaming of winning their first major trophy since 1966.

To achieve that, they will likely need to perform better than at any point so far in Germany, as they face an outstanding Spain team, who defeated France 2-1 on Tuesday.

“We play the team who’ve been the best team in the tournament and we have a day less to prepare so it’s a huge task. But we’re still here and we’re fighting,” Southgate said.

The Netherlands had hoped to replicate their 1988 Euros triumph in Germany, but their current squad lacks stars like Marco van Basten or Ruud Gullit.

A win for them would have resulted in a Euros final identical to the 2010 World Cup. Instead, they now head home.

“I am disappointed about the final result in a match which started really good for us,” said their coach, Ronald Koeman. “A great goal, and then it’s over, and that is difficult to accept.”

England reached this stage despite not winning any of their last four matches in 90 minutes, having been taken to extra time by Slovakia and Switzerland.

This might have given the Dutch a physical edge, after they overcame finishing third in their group to defeat Romania and Turkey.

England welcomed back Marc Guehi in defense after suspension, while Koeman chose to start Donyell Malen in attack at Borussia Dortmund’s home ground.

The Westfalenstadion holds special significance for the Dutch, as the site of their 2-0 victory over Brazil in the 1974 World Cup semi-final.

The Netherlands took the lead after just seven minutes thanks to a brilliant effort by Simons, who dispossessed Declan Rice 35 meters out and advanced before sending a powerful shot beyond Jordan Pickford.

The Dutch players celebrated with their fans, as England found themselves trailing for the third consecutive game.

Just like against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, they responded quickly.

Kane forced a save from Bart Verbruggen and moments later sent a volley over the bar, and was caught by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through.

It seemed innocuous, but Zwayer was called to review the footage and awarded a penalty.

Kane, whose missed penalty against France cost England dearly in the 2022 World Cup, converted, slotting low into the corner.

The game became open and entertaining, with Dumfries clearing off the line from Phil Foden and later hitting the bar with a header from a Simons corner. Foden responded by curling a shot off the post.

England’s midfielders were given too much time on the ball, and Koeman used an injury to Memphis Depay to bolster the center, replacing the forward with Joey Veerman.

Wout Weghorst replaced Malen at halftime, but the game became more cautious as time passed.

Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk on 65 minutes, and the Netherlands began to dominate as England’s key players tired.