Phil Foden has effort cleared OFF THE LINE by Denzel Dumfries as the England star comes agonisingly close to taking the lead against the Netherlands after Harry Kane's penalty

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England star Phil Foden came agonisingly close to taking the lead against the Netherlands before Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries cleared his effort off the line.

The Three Lions found themselves behind in the seventh minute of their huge Euro 2024 semi-final in Dortmund after Xavi Simons fired a long-distance strike past Jordan Pickford in the England net.

Harry Kane levelled the score for England in the 18th minute after drawing a foul from Dumfries in the penalty box, expertly converting the spot-kick into Bart Verbruggen's right-hand corner.

Moments later, Foden nearly gave England the lead after slaloming into the Dutch penalty box and cutely sliding an effort underneath the goalkeeper, who had come off his line to meet him.

As Three Lions fans held their breath in anticipation of a second goal for England, Dumfries came to the rescue of Ronald Koeman's side and just managed to stop the ball on the goal line, before hooking it away and out of danger.

Phil Foden came agonisingly close to taking the lead for England against the Netherlands

Foden was sure he'd taken the lead but for Denzel Dumfries' last gasp interception off the line

Replays showed the ball was millimetres from crossing the line before the vital clearance

Foden and Co raised their hands to referee Felix Zwayer in hope that it had crossed the line, but the official's watch did not vibrate to notify him that the goal could be given.

Replays showed the ball was millimetres from crossing the line before Dumfries' vital interception, much to the disappointment of England supporters. 

He picked up the ball from Kobbie Mainoo on the edge of the penalty box and drove past Nathan Ake and Virgil van Dijk, switching the ball between his left and right foot, and showed excellent awareness to shoot underneath the goalkeeper.

Foden dazzled throughout the remainder of England's first half, hitting the post with a superb curling shot from outside the area, reminiscent of Lamine Yamal's wondergoal on Tuesday to help send Spain into the Euro 2024 final.

Foden also hit the Netherlands' post with a superb curling shot from outside the penalty area

He later forced Verbruggen into a smart stop low to his right from a similar position late on in the first half, but England ultimately went in level.

The City star, who won Premier League Player of the Season last campaign, found plenty of joy in the half spaces between the Netherlands' defence and midfield, linking up well with Bukayo Saka and Mainoo in particular.