![Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring a penalty to level the game at 1-1 during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/10/TELEMMGLPICT000385131504_17206453898750_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq-PSyyIpYuv3hhTxnBm0pRlsRKLSK859Tz8g5dW65U-Q.jpeg?imwidth=680)
England vs Netherlands player ratings: Mainoo stars but Kane fades
Gareth Southgate’s side put in their best showing of the tournament against the Netherlands to progress to the Euro 2024 final
![Harry Kane of England celebrates after scoring a penalty to level the game at 1-1 during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/10/TELEMMGLPICT000385131504_17206453898750_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq-PSyyIpYuv3hhTxnBm0pRlsRKLSK859Tz8g5dW65U-Q.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Ollie Watkins’ late winner secured England a place in the Euro 2024 final. Gareth Southgate’s men went behind early on but bounced back to level through a controversial Harry Kane penalty. It was a first-half which was undoubtedly England’s finest of the tournament so far.
The Dutch were improved in the second half but, just as the game looked to be heading to extra time, Watkins’ rocket into the far corner send England into raptures – and a second successive Euro final.
England (3-4-2-1)
Jordan Pickford
Could England’s goalkeeper have done a bit better with Simons’ goal for Holland? It was a very well struck shot and it may be harsh on Pickford, but the ball did not fly into the corner of the net and he will have hoped to keep it out. Yet again Pickford smashed the ball up the pitch from a kick-off that went all the way back to him. Arrggghh. Made a good save from Van Dijk. 6/10
Kyle Walker
Walker had not enjoyed the best tournament up until Wednesday night, but he was much, much better in Dortmund. Not only stronger defensively, the Manchester City defender got forwards to provide some attacking threat and support for Saka. Made one brilliant challenge on Cody Gakpo that stopped him going through on goal. 7/10
John Stones
England’s Mr Dependable. Stones was calm and assured on the ball as ever. He coped superbly with the different threats of the pacy Depay and the powerful Wout Weghorst, who was sent on at half-time to give Netherlands some muscle. Stones was on the end of one piece of rough treatment when Weghorst caught him in the face while challenging for a high ball. 7/10
Marc Guehi
The Crystal Palace star had been England’s best performer before being suspended for the Switzerland match. England have played a four-man defence with Guehi in it previously, but he settled superbly back into a back three and produced one superb block tackle to stop Malen getting a shot on goal from within the penalty area and another on Weghorst. 8/10
Bukayo Saka
The hero of England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland was at it against the Netherlands. This time it was Ake who struggled to stop him and it was from Saka’s run and blocked shot that Kane had the shot that earned England a penalty. Switching Saka to wing-back was a great move from Southgate. Had a late goal ruled out for offside against Walker. 8/10
Kobbie Mainoo
![Tijjani Reijnders of the Netherlands during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-finals soccer match between Netherlands and England, in Dortmund, Germany, 10 July 2024](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/10/TELEMMGLPICT000385131744_17206460521320_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqVioNkw4lP6e3VYTCBD-HsER8YSybYNWDTYrGStsI8ko.jpeg?imwidth=350)
At 19 years and 82 days old, Mainoo became England’s youngest-ever man to play in the semi-finals of a major tournament, but you would never have guessed it. He won the ball back at both ends of the pitch and more than once his interceptions started another attack for the Three Lions. Composure beyond his years. 8/10
Declan Rice
Slightly unfortunate to lose his footing under pressure from Simons before the Holland attacker gave the Dutch the lead. That moment would have sunk lesser men, but Rice responded brilliantly by taking control of the midfield after England went behind. Found Saka on the right more than once with some good passing. 7/10
Kieran Trippier
Southgate’s biggest decision was whether or not to replace Trippier with Shaw from the start. Trippier got the nod, but once again did not look entirely comfortable in a position that does not come naturally to him. The lack of balance was obvious early on when Saka dribbled all the way across the pitch and still had nobody to pass to on the left. Replaced by Shaw at half-time. 6/10
Phil Foden
England fans have been singing “Phil Foden’s on fire” for the past month and he certainly was in Dortmund. Foden hit the post with a superb shot, had what looked like a certain goal cleared off the line and another effort saved – all in a first-half in which Holland could not cope with him. Having run his heart out for 80 minutes, Foden was replaced by Palmer as England’s energy levels dropped. 8/10
Jude Bellingham
![Jude Bellingham of England looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/10/TELEMMGLPICT000385135655_17206461900650_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqo715INoM0kzeFPw2qnRPKRjGe6YmGEx4YFhGyhlsdAY.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Much of the pre-match focus had been on the fact that Bellingham would have to go face-to-face again with referee Felix Zwayer, the man he once accused of being a match fixer. Bellingham won a couple of free-kicks from Zwayer in the first-half, but was booked in the second period for a late challenge. The midfielder did not look particularly pleased, but was wise not to protest. 6/10
Harry Kane
There was so much debate around Kane’s form going into this game, but the England captain just loves proving people wrong. Everybody knew exactly what would happen when England were awarded a penalty following a VAR check. The penalty meant that Kane now stands alone as the leading scorer in knock-out games in the history of the European Championship. Faded in the second-half and was replaced by Watkins. 7/10
Substitutes
Luke Shaw (on for Trippier, 46): Not handed the start he perhaps deserved, but Shaw was sent on at half-time to provide England with balance and a threat down the left side. Gave away a free-kick early in the second half. 6/10
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 81): What a goal! England’s late hero. Sent on in place of Kane to provide England with some much-needed energy, but gave them so much more. Clinched a place in the final for the Three Lions with a super finish after turning and shooting. He will never, ever forget that moment. Nor will any Aston Villa supporter. 9/10
Cole Palmer (on for Foden, 81): Yet another substitutes’ appearance for Palmer, who lifted one half chance high and wide of the goal with time running out. 7/10
Conor Gallagher (on for Mainoo, 90) Ezri Konsa (on for Saka, 90): N/A
Netherlands
By Tom Morgan
Bart Verbruggen
![Bart Verbruggen of the Netherlands reacts after defeat in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2024/07/10/TELEMMGLPICT000385142448_17206463069050_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqLF6jZZKTJtNVca82du5g4Ea6lQkyV7A3SX_TBdlN264.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Verbruggen loves a spot kick and went the right way for Kane’s first half penalty, but couldn’t get a hand to it. Otherwise accomplished performance from the Brighton stopper. He will be furious that Watkins managed to beat him from such a tight angle, however, although the finish was unerring. 6/10
Denzel Dumfries
Will consider himself unlucky over the VAR-review penalty but right-footed challenge to block Kane shot was a fraction late. Later cleared off line from Foden later and hit bar with header. 7/10
Stefan de Vrij
Unfussy performance and shouldered the majority of marking responsibilities for Kane. Goal-scoring hero in the quarter-finals against Turkey had less opportunity to get forward against lively England. But Watkins got the better of him straight away. The Aston Villa forward turned De Vrij before firing the winner through his legs. 7/10
Virgil van Dijk
Backed off unnecessarily to leave space for Mainoo during one marauding run from the Manchester United midfielder but otherwise calm and composed. Half-chance after connecting with free-kick in second half. 6/10
Nathan Ake
Busy night dealing with Saka’s running and the buoyant Walker, who was regular overlapping. Carried a threat going forward, outmuscling Walker in the England box before half-time. 6/10
Jerdy Schouten
He had been an unsung hero of this Euros campaign, a workhorse who rarely gives the ball away. Slower to get motoring and sloppily gave ball away to Rice after 70 mins. 6/10
Tijjani Reijnders
Disappointing first-half in the midfield holding role, finding himself repeatedly outrun and out-thought by the likes of Mainoo and Foden. Kept buzzing around as game wore on but rarely imposed himself. 6/10
Donyell Malen
Frustrated after failing to get a shot away as he skipped on to an early through-ball from Simons. Hooked at half time as Koeman opted for a target man in Weghorst. 5/10
Xavi Simons
Came out flying for the Dutch. Lively from the start, shutting down Bellingham, created the opening chance and then unleashed the most ferocious of long-range openers after dispossessing Rice. 7/10
Cody Gakpo
Quiet first-half, much better in second. Gave away a cheap free-kick after shoving Saka. Annoyed after team-mates failed to pick him out after good running off the ball. 6/10
Memphis Depay
Fairly quiet and looked out of sorts before dropping to the ground on 33 minutes feeling his right hamstring. Major blow for the former Manchester United man, who was looking to prove his English doubters wrong. 4/10
Substitutes
Veerman for Depay 33 mins 6
Weghorst for Malen 46 mins 6
Brobbey for Simons 93 mins N/A
Zirkzee for Dumfries 83 mins N/A