Ollie Watkins scored a crucial injury-time goal as England defeated the Netherlands 2-1 on Wednesday, securing a spot in the Euro 2024 final against Spain in Berlin.
The match started poorly for England when Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in Dortmund. England equalised with a Harry Kane penalty after a VAR review by German referee Felix Zwayer. The game seemed headed for extra time until Watkins' decisive strike.
Watkins, who replaced Kane, received a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer in the first minute of stoppage time, turned, and scored low into the far corner, leaving the Netherlands stunned.
"I'm lost for words, really," said Watkins, the Aston Villa striker. "I don't think I've hit a ball that sweet before, and obviously in such a special moment."
Gareth Southgate's England team has had an inconsistent campaign but is now in their second consecutive European Championship final, aiming to win their first major trophy since 1966. They will face a strong Spain team, who beat 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 hoped to replicate their 1988 Euros victory in Germany but fell short. A win would have set up a repeat of the 2010 World Cup final. 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 and needing extra time against Slovakia and Switzerland. This might have given the Dutch a physical edge after their impressive wins over Romania and Turkey.
Marc Guehi returned to England's defence after suspension, while Koeman started Donyell Malen in attack at Borussia Dortmund's home ground, the Westfalenstadion.
The stadium holds special significance for the Dutch, being the site of their 2-0 win over Brazil in the 1974 World Cup, with goals by Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff.
The Netherlands took the lead after seven minutes when Simons dispossessed Declan Rice and scored from 35 metres out, beating Jordan Pickford. The Dutch celebrated with their fans as England trailed for the third consecutive game.
England quickly responded. Kane forced a save from Bart Verbruggen and then was fouled by Denzel Dumfries, leading to a VAR-reviewed penalty. Kane scored, making up for his missed penalty in the 2022 World Cup against France.
The game became open and entertaining. Dumfries cleared Phil Foden's shot off the line and hit the bar with a header from a Simons corner. Foden also hit the post with a curling shot.
The Netherlands made tactical changes, with Joey Veerman replacing the injured Memphis Depay and Wout Weghorst replacing Malen at halftime. The game grew more cautious as it progressed.
Pickford denied Virgil van Dijk in the 65th minute, and the Netherlands gained control as England's players tired. England thought they had scored in the 79th minute when Bukayo Saka turned in Kyle Walker's cutback, but Walker was offside.
Southgate then substituted Kane and Foden for Watkins and Palmer, leading to Watkins' match-winning goal.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Jason Ralph fuels speculation over Rachel Brosnahan marriage after controversial Instagram activity
Rachel Brosnahan marriage speculation grows after Jason Ralph’s controversial Instagram activity
Highlights
Rachel Brosnahan’s husband, actor Jason Ralph, is at the centre of a heated social media debate after he liked a provocative Instagram comment about her on-screen chemistry with Superman co-star David Corenswet. The online reaction has been swift, with fans speculating whether his action was a subtle dig, a careless mistake, or simply a misunderstood joke.
The comment in question accused Brosnahan of crossing boundaries with a co-star and suggested Ralph should “stand up for himself” and “leave her.” Within hours, screenshots of Ralph’s ‘like’ were circulating across Reddit, X, and Instagram gossip pages. Soon after, Ralph disabled comments on his posts, but by then, the digital trail was impossible to erase.
When did Rachel Brosnahan and Jason Ralph get married?
Brosnahan and Ralph first met while working on the indie film I’m Obsessed With You in 2013. After several years of dating, the pair quietly tied the knot—so quietly, in fact, that the public only learned about it years later.
In a 2019 interview, Brosnahan revealed that she had been wearing her wedding ring for some time before speculation began, adding:
“We’ve been married for years and been together for even longer. We had a good laugh when the news came out that we had just got married like, ‘Happy six-month anniversary, honey!’”
The couple’s decision to keep their marriage private was intentional. Brosnahan explained that she disliked the double standard in media coverage, where she was constantly asked about her relationship while Ralph was not.
Have they worked together professionally?
Yes. Ralph appeared alongside his wife in the hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, joining in seasons four and five as Mike Carr. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Ralph praised Brosnahan’s leadership on set, saying:
“She’s just the best, and I feel very lucky to see her command a set like that.”
Their collaboration was warmly received by fans, and until now, the couple has maintained an image of mutual respect and professional admiration.
What did Jason Ralph ‘like’ on Instagram?
The controversy began when Ralph liked a comment on one of his posts that read:
“It’s genuinely sad to see your career being tucked out to be remembered as a cuckold because your wife couldn’t handle herself with her co-actor. Like bro, let’s have some self-love and stand up for yourself, leave her to be with him if she wants that much.”
The remark, widely interpreted as targeting Brosnahan’s scenes with David Corenswet in Superman, was seen by many as insulting and sexist. Fans immediately questioned why Ralph would engage with it at all.
Was it intentional or a mistake?
Social media reactions are split. Some argue that it was likely an accidental double-tap, noting that Ralph’s Instagram activity is minimal and sporadic. Others believe it was deliberate, citing his history of dry humour and occasional trolling behaviour online.
Regardless of intent, the timing has amplified speculation. Brosnahan’s chemistry with Corenswet has been heavily discussed since the film’s release, and this incident has only fuelled more rumours about their personal lives.
What’s next for the couple?
Neither Brosnahan nor Ralph has publicly commented on the incident. Given their preference for privacy, it’s unlikely they will address the speculation directly. Still, with screenshots continuing to circulate, the story has already left its mark on fan discussions around the couple. Whether the Instagram ‘like’ was a slip of the finger or a calculated move, it has put an unusually public spotlight on one of Hollywood’s most private marriages. For now, the internet is left to debate: accident, sarcasm, or subtle message?