BY JAMES ELLINGWORTH
DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Dutch fans came to the stadium in a rousing march, 100,000 strong. It will feel like a long journey home.
When Ollie Watkins’ added-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Wednesday, it ended the orange-clad Dutch fans’ dream of a first European Championship title since 1988.
“A great goal, but then it’s over, and that’s difficult to accept,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.
The journey home will not be without some bitterness after a hotly disputed penalty decision in England’s favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries made contact with Harry Kane while trying to block a shot.
“In my opinion this should not have been a penalty,” Koeman said through an interpreter. “I think that we cannot play properly football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football.”
Until the penalty
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