England booked their place in the Euro 2024 final last night, but it's fair to say that there was more than a hint of controversy about their 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate's side were the better side for the opening half of the game, although it was a more level affair in the second half. In the end, a late winner from Ollie Watkins was enough to get the English over the line.
If you're a fan of the Netherlands, it's a case of 'commentator's curse', as Ollie Watkins strikes at the death for England. #NEDENG #Euro2024
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While there was no arguing with that incredible strike from the Aston Villa man, quite a few people were annoyed about England's opening goal of the game.
Harry Kane would get it via a penalty, with it being adjudged that this challenge from Denzel Dumfries was enough to award the spot kick.
Here's a look back at the challenge that resulted in an England penalty.
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You can certainly debate as to whether that challenge was enough to award a penalty, although it could be argued that the tackle should not even have been considered due to an earlier part of that phase of play.
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The Tackle Wasn't Only Dodgy Element Of England's Dutch Penalty
The VAR would send referee Felix Zwayer to the screen to review the challenge from Dumfries, with the German deciding that it was enough to award England a penalty.
However, what was perhaps missed was a potential handball from an English player in the buildup.
In the below replay, you can clearly see the ball come off Bukayo Saka's hand before it fell to Harry Kane in the box. This was seemingly missed by the officials.
According to the Swedish ex-referee Jonas Eriksson it should be handball x 2 on Saka before the penalty. No penalty pic.twitter.com/MiwXFSLBIw
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While you can debate around the challenge that led to the England penalty, this potential handball was given less attention. You could argue that the ball hit Saka's body first, but the manner he then controlled with his hand is something you usually see punished in open play.
It was not part of the replays shown to the referee on the pitch-side monitor. Had it been spotted, you could argue that the spot kick would not have been awarded.
In any case, England will now play in the Euro 2024 final. You can understand why Virgil van Dijk and the rest of the Dutch may well feel aggrieved on the back of last night's fixture.
SEE ALSO: Virgil Van Dijk Says Actions Of Referee After England Loss Sum Up His Display
