July 10th 2024.
Ronald Koeman was absolutely furious with the decision to award England a penalty in their Euro 2024 semi-final match. He went as far as to claim that "football is broken" after his Netherlands team ultimately fell to England in a heart-wrenching defeat.
From the start, things were looking promising for the Dutch. Xavi Simons scored a stunning goal in the seventh minute, putting them in a favorable position to face Spain in the final on Sunday. However, their hopes were dampened when, just 10 minutes later, England was given a penalty due to a controversial ruling by referee Felix Zwayer.
Denzel Dumfries seemed to have made a legal challenge against Harry Kane's shot, but the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) had a different view and overturned Zwayer's decision. Kane then converted the penalty with his signature confidence, much to the dismay of the Dutch fans.
The second half was a tense battle, but England's substitute Ollie Watkins sealed the deal with a remarkable goal in injury time. Koeman, in his post-match press conference, expressed his frustration with the questionable penalty call, stating, "This is not a penalty. His only intention was to block the shot." He went on to criticize the use of VAR in football, claiming that it is causing more harm than good.
Koeman also analyzed the team's performance, acknowledging that England caused some problems for them in the first half, particularly with players like Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. However, he felt that his team was gaining momentum towards the end and perhaps deserved an opportunity to fight for their place in extra-time.
Ultimately, Koeman was proud of his team's performance in the tournament and felt they had a great run. But the player at the center of the penalty controversy, Dumfries, took full responsibility for the incident, admitting that he did not intend to foul Kane and was simply trying to block the shot.
Despite the disappointment, it was a thrilling match that showcased the highs and lows of football. The Dutch team can hold their heads up high for their impressive performance in the tournament, while England moves on to the final with their eye on the prize.
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