The Netherlands are into the inaugural UEFA Nations League final after defeating England in the semi-finals overnight.
The Dutch came from a goal down to win 3-1 in extra time and book their place in the final, just 18 or so months after failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
England were awarded a first-half penalty when a Matthijs de Ligt error put Raheem Sterling through on goal, only for the Manchester City winger to be fouled by the defender. Marcus Rashford calmly tucked away the spot kick to give the Three Lions the lead.
de Ligt made up for his mistake in the second half, heading home from a corner to equalise for Oranje just 18 minutes from normal time. It adds to his impressive list of headed goals this season – Germany, Juventus and Tottenham all on the receiving end.
England thought they had regained the lead when a wonderful bit of interplay saw Jesse Lingard finish a 1-on-1, only for it to be ruled offside by the VAR.
It would come back to haunt Gareth Southgate’s side as two calamities from the back four allowed the Netherlands to strike twice in extra-time and set up a date with Portugal in the final.
The final will kick-off at 4:45AM (AEST) on Monday at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto.
