England have a chance to win over Harry Kane’s no-go curse.
England’s national team, led by head coach Gareth Southgate, won 2-1 against the Netherlands in the semifinals of Euro 2024 at Zignal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany on the 11th (Korea time).
With this victory, England will face Spain, which was already in the final, for the trophy in the final on the 15th. England has already reached the final in the last tournament, but is aiming for its first win in this final, finishing second. Spain is trying to win the title for the first time in 12 years since Euro 2012.
England played in a 3-4-2-1 formation, just like the last quarterfinals. Harry Kane is on the front line, and Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are on the second line. Declan Rice and Kobe Mainu worked together at the third line, while Bukayo Saka and Kieran Trippier were at wing-backs. The three-back was made up of Mark Gehie, John Stones and Kyle Walker. Jordan Pickford defended the goal.
The Netherlands also faced off with a 4-3-3 formation. Cody Hakpo, Memphis Depay and Doniel Malan made up the three-top, while Tyani Reinders, Xavi Simmons and Yerdi Shawton were in the midfield. Nathan Ake, Virgil van Dijk, Stefan Dubray and Denzel Doompris joined the defense. The goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Bert Ferbruhen.
스포츠토토 The game was hot from the start, with the Netherlands scoring a goal. After taking Rice’s ball under pressure in the 7th minute of the first half, Simmons advanced to the right of the penalty box arc, and his attempt at a right-footed mid-range shot was stuck in the corner of England’s net.
However, England did not back down. Kane’s mid-range shot at the Netherlands goal in the 13th minute of the first half, and Kane was kicked by Doomfree while shooting inside the box in the 14th minute of the first half to earn a penalty. Kane, who was a kicker, neatly finished the game and tied the game again.
England gained momentum after the tie. Foden, who received a pass after Mainu’s breakthrough in the 23rd minute, seemed to score a goal by drilling the goalkeeper in the box, but Doomfree, who was waiting in front of the goal, caught a shot and the Netherlands overcame the danger of losing a point.
The Netherlands also launched a counterattack. In the 30th minute of the first half, Doomfree’s header hit the upper post and escaped the goal to overcome disappointment. Afterwards, the two teams finished the first half 1-1.
The Netherlands was the first team to gain momentum in the second half. In the 20th minute of the second half, van Dijk connected the ball that came into the English box with a free kick, but was blocked by Pickford’s tremendous defense.
England shook the net but was denied. In the 34th minute of the second half, Walker’s cross was directly connected to Saka in the box, and Saka’s shot penetrated the Dutch goal immediately. However, the score was canceled as Walker’s position, who received the pass, was pointed out as offside.
England, which needed a turnaround, decided to remove Kane and Foden and put in Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins at the 36th minute of the second half. Replacement produced results. As soon as the second half was added time, Rice’s pass was connected to Palmer, who pushed the pass to Watkins in front. Watkins was a little narrow from the right side of the penalty box, but he attempted to shoot without hesitation, and the ball shook the Dutch net.
In the end, the match ended with a 2-1 victory for England.
After Kane was replaced in the match on the day, England succeeded in turning the tables, and fans’ interest in Kane’s curse was heightened. Criticism is already growing over Kane’s performance. Kane scored two goals in all five games played by England except against the Netherlands this time. Notably, his goal against Slovakia was a come-from-behind goal that led his team to the quarterfinals. However, his performance cannot be considered as the best scorer in Europe. He continued to show isolation between defense and no power in front of the goalpost.
Some media outlets criticized Kane, saying, ‘Is Kane now England’s Ronaldo? The question has been a compliment for the past few years, but by 2024, it is more of a criticism. Now the question is that Kane is left with the team only with fame, and his manager lacks the courage to make difficult decisions.’
For Kane, it could be his last chance to win a championship, in which he can challenge himself while playing for the England national team. Whether he can break the curse of no spectatorship by himself is expected to draw keen attention in the upcoming final match against Spain.
