England are into a second consecutive Euros final after another comeback win.

The Netherlands may have drawn first blood in Dortmund through Xavi Simons, but the Three Lions produced their best performance of the tournament so far to turn that around.

Harry Kane drew them level in the first half from the penalty spot, but it was Ollie Watkins who proved the hero, scoring in the 90th minute to send the England fans into raptures.

The Oranje could not have hoped for a better start to their 100th major tournament match as Simons scored the earliest semi-final goal at the Euros (seven minutes) since Alan Shearer against Germany in 1996 (third minute).

They could not hold onto their lead for long though, as Denzel Dumfries gave away a spot-kick, and Kane made no mistake from 12 yards.

The England captain is now the outright leading goalscorer in the knockout stages of the European Championships, with that his sixth such goal.

In fact, he also now has more knockout stage goals in major tournaments than any other European player (nine), overtaking Gerd Muller, Miroslav Klose, Antoine Griezmann, and Kylian Mbappe (all eight).

Gareth Southgate's side arguably should have led by half-time, but Phil Foden's wonderful curler struck the post – the fourth time England have hit the woodwork at Euro 2024, more than any other team.

As the game lost its momentum in the second half, the England manager got his changes just right.

Kane was taken off for just the second time in the knockout stages of a major tournament before 90 minutes – and the first time with his side not in front.

However, it proved an inspired choice as his replacement, Watkins, scored only the second-ever 90th-minute winning goal in a Euros knockout tie, after Germany v Turkiye in the 2008 semi-final. 

Timed at 89:59, it was the latest winning goal scored in either a World Cup or European Championships semi-final (excluding extra time). It was also England's only shot on target in the second half.

England are the first side to reach the final despite trailing in both the quarter-final (where they beat Switzerland on penalties after a 1-1 draw) and semi-final en route.

It will be their second consecutive Euros final under Southgate (also Euro 2020) having only reached one of their previous 23 major tournament appearances prior to his tenure - during their World Cup win in 1966. 

Unfortunately for the Netherlands, they tumbled at the last hurdle before the showpiece match – it is the seventh time they have been eliminated at the semi-final stage, the second-most of any European nation after Germany (eight).

Spain await in Berlin. It means England will be the first team in Euros/World Cup history to face five different countries all beginning with the same letter in a single tournament (Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Spain). How's that to round things off?

Gareth Southgate saluted England's "best achievement" as they beat the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the Euro 2024 final - and their first in a major tournament on foreign soil.

The Three Lions set up a final showdown with Spain, who beat France by the same scoreline in the other semi-final, after edging out the Oranje thanks to Ollie Watkins' last-gasp winner in Dortmund.

The Aston Villa forward climbed off the bench to replace Harry Kane, whose penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons' early strike, and struck in the 90th minute to send England into delirium.

Southgate's side fell at the final hurdle at the delayed Euro 2020, as they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak against Italy at Wembley.

But having become only the fourth nation to reach successive European Championship finals, the Three Lions now have the opportunity to go one better on Sunday and potentially end their 58-year wait for major tournament silverware.

"This has to be the best [achievement]," Southgate told ITV Sport. "Very special night and, hopefully, very special for everyone at home. I thought our performance was really good.

"It was a complicated game, they kept changing, we had to respond. We caused them problems all night, and the end is so special for the squad.

"You knew with the Netherlands, they have more quality, so they can punish you like they did, but there's more opportunity to play.

"The most important thing is that the whole squad are ready to come into the game. We spend a lot of time with [the substitutes], and I'm so chuffed for Ollie.
 
"We felt, energy wise, we were starting to lose some pressure [in the second half]. Ollie can press well and make those runs in behind. We thought it was a good moment to try him.
 
"We deserved to win tonight. We were very fluid in our formation, it wasn't just a back three, we had to adapt all the time and the players made so many good decisions.

"This is what we came here to do, and we have been building for two years. We have got to enjoy tonight, but equally, it is such a quick turnaround and we have a day less [to prepare] than the team who have been the best at the tournament."

Where did England's tournament start to turn?

Was it with Jude Bellingham's stunning overhead kick against Slovakia?

Was it with Bukayo Saka's exquisite equaliser against Switzerland?

Was it when Jordan Pickford and Trent Alexander-Arnold dragged them over the line in the shootout?

Or what about seven minutes into Wednesday's meeting with the Netherlands, when Xavi Simons cannoned in the earliest goal scored in a Euros semi-final since Alan Shearer scored for England against Germany in 1996?

Strange, perhaps, but it was that goal that seemed to see the shackles finally come off for the Three Lions. They had stuttered and staggered their way through Euro 2024, but eventually that approach can, and almost certainly will, come unstuck.

Yet after that Simons strike had rifled in beyond Pickford, a fire seemed to spark in England's bellies. 

This was the time it had to come good. It was do or die. And for much of Wednesday's clash in Dortmund, England were the better side and, arguably for the first time in the tournament, deserved victors.

It did not come easy, of course. Harry Kane pulled them level from the spot after a contentious VAR decision in the 18th minute. Phil Foden had a deft touch cleared off the line and saw the post deny him a wondergoal. 

One of the criticisms aimed at Gareth Southgate has been his use of Foden, but a switch of system in the quarter-final saw the Premier League's Player of the Season truly arrive in Germany. In the first half, he completed all 27 of his passes, and had the most shots (three). Behind him, Kobbie Mainoo, the youngest player to feature for England in the semi-finals of a major tournament, dovetailed brilliantly with Declan Rice.

The second half was a different story. Ronald Koeman reacted, the Dutch shored things up in midfield. They had the best chances, looking dangerous from set-pieces.

For long swathes of the second period, it looked as though the fear of losing had come back to freeze England, to grip Southgate and his players. Were they playing for extra time? Had that bravery gone?

But at the right time, Southgate turned to his bench. Kane, now the record goalscorer in the knockout stage at the Euros, made way for Ollie Watkins. Foden went off to be replaced by Cole Palmer. Bukayo Saka had just seen a goal disallowed, though extra time seemed to be beckoning.

And like his changes worked against Switzerland; like they worked against Slovakia, when Ivan Toney helped turn the tide, Southgate's substitutions worked again.

Watkins stretched the Dutch defence, Palmer threaded through an inch-perfect pass. Watkins spun Stefan de Vrij and, with a swish of his right boot, from the tightest of angles, picked out the opposite corner with a finish that came with an expected goals value of just 0.1.

It is only the second 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie. Timed at 89:59, it was the latest winning goal scored in the semi-final at the Euros or Wolrd Cup (excluding extra time).

It was also England's only shot on target in the second half of this match.

But the bravery was there. The intent was there from the moment England went behind. 

"It's something that is built through failure, through the first few games that didn’t go so well, but it's important you build that fire and build some sort of resistance through it. It's important we came together," said Bellingham, whose lung-busting run down the left in the dying seconds helped get England over the line.

"These moments are great – it brings us together as a team and a family, because of that you get stronger. They make us more together, it's about taking that into the final now."

England are together. They have now reached the final in two of their four major tournaments under Southgate (also Euro 2020) – they had only done so in one of their previous 23 World Cup/Euros appearances.

They finished this match with 1.3 xG to the Dutch's 0.56. They had more shots (nine to seven) and more touches in the opponent's box (19 to 11). They were better. Now, they are on the brink of history. Spain stand in their way.

Harry Kane revelled in the "special" feeling after England clinched their Euro 2024 final place in dramatic fashion, acknowledging the Three Lions now have "one more game to make history".

Ollie Watkins climbed off the bench to score a 90th-minute winner as Gareth Southgate's side edged out the Netherlands to set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday's showpiece.

The match had appeared set to head for extra time with Kane's penalty drawing England level after Xavi Simons had fired the Oranje in front.

But there was to be a dramatic late twist with Watkins, on as a substitute for the skipper, sending the Three Lions through to their first final at a major tournament on foreign soil, and move them within one victory of their first silverware since 1966.

"History made. Amazing achievement," Kane told ITV Sport. "Every player, every member of staff, I'm so proud of them.

"To do what we've done away from home is really special. There's that feeling there's one more left, and we need to do that on Sunday.

"Especially in the first half, we had a lot of control. Second half, there were a few tired legs out there. Overall, I thought we deserved to win it.

"There's one more game to make history. That's what we're excited about. It's been a tough journey, but there's one more. 90 minutes, 120, penalties - whatever it takes, we'll be there. I'm looking forward to it."

Watkins was making only his second appearance at the tournament, having also replaced Kane during England's second Group C game against Denmark.

Kane and Jude Bellingham paid tribute to the Aston Villa forward, saluting his patience and for grasping his opportunity.

"We talk about being ready. We're a big team at being ready," Kane said. "When it matters, you might get five minutes, one minute, but you can make a difference, you can win us a tournament.

"He's been waiting, he's been patient. What he did was outstanding and he deserves it."

Bellingham added: "I'm so happy for him. He came on, took his opportunity. As a team, we're buzzing for him.

"You miss your family, your holidays and you're not starting every game like you would at the club – but Ollie’s a hero, he's saved us."

Ollie Watkins told Cole Palmer he would set him up for a goal as they were waiting to come on for England.

The forward then scored the winning goal, assisted by Palmer, to seal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and book their place in the Euro 2024 final.

The Three Lions had to come from behind once again after Xavi Simons' early goal gave the Netherlands the lead, before Harry Kane levelled from the spot shortly after.

Asked about his goal, Watkins said he knew what to expect as soon as Palmer got the ball at his feet.

"I've been waiting for that moment for weeks," Watkins told ITV Sport after the game.

"It's taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. Grateful I got the opportunity, and I grabbed it with both hands. I'm delighted.

"I swear on my life and my kid's life, I said to Cole Palmer: We're coming on today and you're gonna set me up.

"And that's why I was so happy with Coley. I knew as soon as he got the ball, he was gonna play me and you've got to be greedy.

"Touch and finish. When I saw it go in the bottom corner, best feeling ever."

One criticism of Gareth Southgate at the tournament so far has been the timing of his substitutions, with the England manager often choosing to leave it late before making any changes.

Watkins has defended his manager's tactics, crediting the "special" nature of the squad.

"There's been a lot of critiscism but at the end of the day we're in the final," he added. "So forget the outside noise, we're in the final.

"It's special. We've got that bounce-back factor. Going a goal behind seems to kick us into gear.

"We never give up. We've won on penalties, we've come from behind. One more game. We're ready for Spain."

Ollie Watkins was the hero as England booked their place in the Euro 2024 final with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund.

The Aston Villa forward climbed off the bench to strike a 90th-minute winner in Dortmund, where the Three Lions set up a showdown with Spain in Sunday’s final.

The contest appeared set to head into extra time after Harry Kane's penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons' impressive long-range strike.

However, there was to be a 90th-minute twist when Watkins drilled past Bart Verbruggen to send Gareth Southgate's side through to their second successive Euros showpiece.

It took only seven minutes for this tie to spark into life – Simons robbed Declan Rice of possession and, from 20 yards out, unleased a fierce strike that flew beyond Jordan Pickford and into the left-hand corner.

England had their equaliser 11 minutes later, albeit in contentious fashion. Kane lashed an effort over, but after a VAR check, Denzel Dumfries was deemed to have caught the Three Lions captain with a high boot.

Dumfries redeemed himself five minutes later as he cleared off the line to prevent Phil Foden from completing the turnaround.

He almost put the Dutch ahead just before the half-hour, only for his header to cannon away off the crossbar.

Foden went agonisingly close again soon after – his curling effort rattling the left-hand upright with Verbruggen beaten.

The Netherlands created the first decent opportunity of the second half with Pickford beating away Virgil van Dijk's volley from a Joey Veerman free-kick in the 64th minute.

England thought they had taken the lead with 11 minutes remaining when Bukayo Saka turned home Kyle Walker's low cross, but the strike was ruled out with the latter having strayed marginally offside.

But with the tie seemingly destined for extra time, Cole Palmer slipped in his fellow substitute Watkins, who superbly found the opposite corner from a tight angle to send the Three Lions into delirium.

More history for Southgate's Three Lions

England advanced to their first major competition final on foreign soil in the most dramatic manner, while becoming the first team in European Championship history to reach the final despite trailing in both their quarter-final and semi-final ties.

Kane drew England level from the penalty spot with his record-breaking sixth goal in the Euros knockout stages.

The England skipper also now has more knockout stage goals in major tournaments than any other European player with nine, while he became the third player to score in successive European Championship semi-finals – and first since Viktor Ponedelnik and Valentin Ivanov, who both achieved the feat for the Soviet Union in 1960 and 1964.

Kane then made way for Watkins, who more than made his mark. His brilliant strike from a tight angle was only the second ever 90th-minute winning goal in a European Championship knockout tie, after Phillip Lahm’s effort for Germany against Turkiye in the 2008 semi-finals.

More importantly, it takes the Three Lions within one more victory of ending 58 years of hurt.

More semi-final heartbreak

Once again, the semi-final proved to be the stumbling block for the Netherlands at the Euros.

The Oranje have fond memories of the BVB Stadion. It was here that they beat Brazil 2-0 to reach the World Cup final 50 years ago.

However, Simon's early strike proved a false dawn for the Dutch and Koeman, who was part of the side that recorded their only previous win in a European Championship semi-final – against Germany in 1988, in the tournament they went on to win.

Watkins' dramatic winner condemned them to a fifth defeat in six appearances at this stage of the competition. Better luck next time?

The chances of West Indies bettering England in their three-match Test series were always slim, and Wednesday’s opening day of the first encounter at Lord’s again justified why the host are overwhelmingly favoured.

No doubt the Caribbean side went into the contest confident that they can secure a Test series win in England for the first time since 1988, but their batting display was a far cry from a team hoping to achieve that feat.

They collapsed from 88-3 to 121 all out, as England’s attack, led by debutant Gus Atkinson, was quick, vicious and left West Indies in a tailspin with no response to the onslaught.

Debutant Mikyle Louis (27), Alick Athanaze (23), Kavem Hodge (24), Alzarri Joseph (17), and Gudakesh Motie, with an unbeaten 14, were the only scores in double figures. Atkinson bagged 7-45, the second best by an England bowler on Test debut behind Dominic Cork.

England in response were 189-3 at close, as they opened up a 68-run lead courtesy of half-centuries from Zak Crawley (76) and Ollie Pope (57). Joe Root, on 15, and Harry Brook, on 25, will resume batting on Thursday’s second day.

Scores: West Indies 121 all out (41.4 overs); England 189-3 (40 overs)

Gus Atkinson bask in the admiration of his teammates.

West Indies assistant coach Jimmy Adams narrowed their opening day performance to England’s quality bowling and inexperience batting from his team.

“I think it was fairly bowling friendly conditions, and added to that England exploited the conditions really well. They had quality swing and they didn’t give us much freedom, and maybe a little bit of experience on our part as well. So I think a combination of those issues,” Adams said in a post-day conference.

Despite their current position, Adams remains optimistic his men can get back into the contest, provided they apply themselves accordingly.

“All of England’s bowlers are world class, so we can try (to comeback), but it is going to be difficult. But this is what Test cricket is all about, you have a bad day, you think about it, roll your sleeves up and come back on day two and try and work your way back into the match. We have seven wickets to get first of all and then hopefully we can bat for a day or two and see where we go from there,” he added.

After losing their top order in the opening session with just 44 runs on the board, Hodge and Athanaze attempted to rebuild the West Indies inning from 61-3 at lunch, but having already inflicted the wound, Atkinson duly obliged and finished what he started.

Louis, the first player to represent West Indies from St Kitts and Nevis, showed promise in a 34-run opening stand with captain Kraigg Brathwaite. Both seemed set for a positive knock before Brathwaite (six) dragged a wide delivery from Atkinson onto the stumps, while Jamaican Kirk McKenzie lasted only 14 deliveries, as he too was sent back by Atkinson for a solitary run.

Mikyle Louis receives his cap from West Indies legend Sir Viv Richards.

Louis then followed, as he edged one from England’s captain Ben Stokes, which Harry Brook collected low down at third slip.

When Athanaze edged to Joe Root, it sparked a typical West Indies collapse, as Jason Holder and Joshua da Silva came and went without scoring, while Hodge served up a catch off Chris Woakes to Ollie Pope, who took it in dazzling fashion.

Alzarri Joseph attempted a counter as he slashed four boundaries in a nine-ball cameo, before he became Atkinson’s sixth victim, and Shamar Joseph (zero), the seamer’s seventh. Motie then contributed 14 runs to push the visitors past the 120-run mark, as James Anderson, playing in his final Test series, accounted for Jayden Seales.

England in their turn at bat, lost Ben Duckett (three), who knicked a Jayden Seales delivery to da Silva. However, Crawley, who rode his luck, and Pope quickly steadied things as both scored at a decent tempo, before the latter was trapped in front by Holder.

Crawley’s luck ran out soon after and he was removed by an inswinging yorker from Seales, as West Indies briefly harboured hopes of clawing their way back into the contest, but Root and Brook kept them at bay for the remainder of the day.

Seales has 2-31 so far.

The Netherlands and England were to face off in the second semi-final at Euro 2024.

A place in Sunday's showpiece match in Berlin was up for grabs, with Spain the opponents.

La Roja defeated France 2-1 in a thrilling clash on Tuesday.

Here, we round up the best Euro 2024 social media posts from Tuesday and Wednesday.

Dortmund goes Dutch

Dortmund isn't far from the Dutch border, so it was no surprise to see a swathe of Oranje fans head over to western Germany to get a taste of the atmosphere, even if they didn't manage to get a ticket.

As they have been all tournament, the Netherlands supporters were in fantastic voice as they took over the centre of the city.

Apparently, there were around 110,000 Dutch fans who took part in the fan march.

Imagine what it'll be like if they make the final!

Carragher lauds Cody 

Cody Gakpo has been hugely impressive at Euro 2024, and has been crucial in the Netherlands' run. 

The forward has not always found his best form for club side Liverpool, but Jamie Carragher has been impressed with Gakpo's performances in Germany.

"He's been their number one attacker, and we're waiting for that to transform into a Liverpool shirt. He's done well, but it's not been easy for him," said Carragher.

"He's playing in a position that favours him, out on the left. He's been a revelation, no doubt he's been one of the best in the tournament."

Van Dijk's fan club

Virgil van Dijk is another Dutch star who plies his trade for Liverpool, and the Oranje fans were chanting their captain's name ahead of kick-off.

Here, journalist Chris Chambers shared a taste of the atmosphere in Dortmund.

Boy wonder

Lamine Yamal played a starring role in Spain's victory over France on Tuesday, scoring a sublime equaliser.

That made the 16-year-old the youngest-ever player to net at the Euros.

BBC Sport pundit Gary Lineker eulogised over the Barcelona prodigy on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast.

Mi hermano

Yamal is not the only Spain winger to have dazzled in Germany, with Nico Williams having also caught the eye.

But Williams was more than happy for the limelight to be on his "brother" after Yamal's stunner.

It's worth noting, mind, that Williams does have an actual brother, who he plays alongside at Athletic Bilbao - that's Inaki Williams.

On your marks...

England have hardly been the most impressive of sides at Euro 2024, but they are, nevertheless, in the semi-finals.

And they do not want to go home now.

The Three Lions' squad were sharpening up in training on Monday with some sprints and races, by the looks. Will that have come in handy against the Dutch?

Selfie time

Dortmund is, of course, home to one of Germany's biggest clubs, and one of BVB's star players, Karim Adeyemi, proved to be something of an attraction for a section of Dutch fans who spotted the winger sitting in traffic in the city.

A journalist spotted the fans crowding Adeyemi's car, and filmed the action.

James Anderson took a wicket on the first day of his final Test but England debutant Gus Atkinson was the star of the show at Lord's.

Paceman Atkinson took seven wickets and went for just 45 runs as England dominated the opening day against West Indies, finishing with a lead of 68.

The tourists collapsed from 88-3 to 121 all out on Wednesday, with Atkinson taking three of his seven wickets during a phenomenal 35th over.

Alick Athanaze, Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva could not cope with the England new boy, who had previously dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite and Kirk McKenzie, with Atkinson following up with two more wickets before Anderson sent Jayden Seales packing.

England subsequently took control with the bat, recovering from the early loss of Ben Duckett, with Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope taking Ben Stokes' team to 123 before the latter succumbed to an edge on 57.

Crawley (76) followed when he was done leg before wicket by Holder, but Joe Root (15 not out) and Harry Brook (25 n.o) ensured there was no further loss before the close, which England reached at 189-3.

Data Debrief: Anderson bowing out, but the future's bright

It is truly the end of an era at Lord's over the coming days, and Anderson at least has the guarantee of one wicket from his farewell Test.

He is now on 701 wickets in the longest format, and 120 of those have come at Lord's.

But Atkinson proved there is life after Anderson. His figures of 7-45 are the second best any bowler has managed on men's Test debut for England, after Dominic Cork's 7-43 at Lord's in 1995.

Weeks after parting ways with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Heimir Hallgrimsson secured the top job as the Republic of Ireland's new manager.

The former senior Reggae Boyz coach, who resigned his post following a failed Copa America campaign, was the surprise selection by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to lead the country's football forward. He replaces interim manager John O'Shea, who took charge of the team after Stephen Kenny departed the post last November.

Hallgrimsson, 57, will get a baptism of fire of sorts, as his first assignment with Ireland will be Nations League action against England in September. Ironically, his tenure with the Reggae Boyz started similarly, albeit with a friendly against World Champions Argentina.

Still, the Icelandic coach, who led Iceland when they eliminated England during the 2016 Euro 2016 Championships,  seems ready to hit the ground running, with eyes on the 2026 World Cup.

Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman insisted that travel delays experienced by his team will not affect them ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final with England on Tuesday.

The Netherlands were due to travel from their tournament training base in Wolfsburg to Dortmund, but those plans were disrupted by a blockage on the route that caused their service to be cancelled.

Instead, Koeman and his squad flew to Dortmund, arriving at their hotel on Tuesday evening. 

"It was not a problem, we had a good rest this afternoon, we were on the plane for just 30 minutes, arrived at our hotel and we can have a good rest tonight,” Koeman said in an interview with UEFA after his scheduled pre-match press conference had to be cancelled because of the delay.

This will be the fourth meeting between the two sides at a major tournament, with England and the Netherlands both winning once. 

England have triumphed just once in their last nine meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions, but Koeman is expecting a tough encounter against the Three Lions. 

“We know that there is really not much difference between the two teams, it’s really 50-50 in my opinion,” Koeman said. “But we will need the perfect game to win.

“We know they have a lot of individual qualities but both teams are really strong and it will be a good fight,” he predicted.

The Netherlands came from a goal behind to secure their place in the semi-finals of the competition, beating Turkiye 2-1 in Berlin last Saturday. 

England, meanwhile, needed penalties to edge past Switzerland, something Koeman believes could be an advantage ahead of kick-off. 

“England had to play extra time in their last game (against Switzerland) so maybe that could be a difference in the latter stages of the match," Koeman said.

"We are sharp, we are focused and we are looking forward to playing a good match against them."

Harry Kane insisted he must still be flexible for England and will continue to drop deep ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final clash with the Netherlands on Wednesday. 

Kane has been the centre of much criticism during the tournament, having often found himself in midfield to start attacks rather than being a focal point up top.

The England captain has scored twice for Gareth Southgate's side in Germany, netting against Denmark in the group stages and Slovakia in the last 16. 

Having found the back of the net 44 goals in 45 games for Bayern Munich last season, his diminishing influence on the Three Lions' attacking build-up has brought much focus over Kane's performances.

"It's the rhythm of the game," Kane explained at Tuesday's pre-match press conference. "Maybe Jude [Bellingham], or Phil [Foden] might end up in the middle and I might drift out to the left.

"As a striker, you want to try to give as much space as possible to your midfielders and your number 10s and then there are times when you want to drag defenders out into spaces they might want to come to.

"There will be times tomorrow when I need to be more of a focal point and be in the box more and there will be times when I'll drop deep and try to make it uncomfortable for defenders."

Kane had five touches in Switzerland's box before Saturday's penalty shoot-out win in Dusseldorf, a tally bettered by Bukayo Saka (eight) and Jude Bellingham (10). 

The 30-year-old also registered two shots during the encounter with Murat Yakin's side, none of which were on target.

Nevertheless, Kane is preparing for his third semi-final with England, having helped Southgate's side reach the same stage during the 2018 World Cup before going further to reach the Euro 2020 final.

The Bayern striker has captained his nation throughout their most sustained period of success without reward, but is confident that past experiences will aid the Three Lions to achieve a first international trophy in 58 years.  

"I think you just use the past experiences to help you," he said. "We've got a lot of players who have experienced big games at the international level and big games at club level and we'll use all that experience.

"Over the course of your career, you learn how to prepare in the best way possible and to control the nerves and the excitement.

"During the game, you need the experienced players, you lean on the leaders in the team who have been there and done that to help the players who haven't but, ultimately, it's about going out there and taking the opportunity with both hands.

"We have the chance to reach back-to-back finals in the European Championship, which would be an amazing achievement, and we have the opportunity to do that."

Gareth Southgate says Felix Zwayer's much-discussed appointment for England's Euro 2024 semi-final is "not even a consideration", despite the referee's history with Jude Bellingham.

England midfielder Bellingham, then of Borussia Dortmund, was fined €40,000 for his comments relating to Zwayer's background after a controversial defeat to Bayern Munich in 2021.

"You give a referee that has match-fixed before the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect," Bellingham said, seemingly referring to the German official's six-month ban for match-fixing.

Zwayer was given a six-month ban in 2005 after he was investigated for taking a £250 bribe from official Robert Hoyzer, who was subsequently banned for life.

Southgate has no issues with Zwayer's appointment in an all-German officiating lineup for Wednesday's clash with the Netherlands, however.

"Everybody knows how I deal with referees, with complete respect for every referee," the England manager said at Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

"The two guys at UEFA who have been running the referees programme respect the way we do that.

"I have no concerns about who the referee is, he will be at a very high standard because that is how UEFA makes those decisions. It's not even a consideration."

Bellingham's comments came after Dortmund lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich, with the midfielder then aged 18.

Having left Dortmund for Real Madrid, Bellingham has been integral for England at Euro 2024, scoring in their opener against Serbia before his sensational last-16 leveller against Slovakia in the last minute.

Southgate came under some scrutiny for leaving the likes of Harry Kane and Bellingham on for so long in that unconvincing victory.

With the likes of Ivan Toney, Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins waiting for a chance from the bench, Southgate once again reiterated his stance on substitutions.

"There are different reasons for making changes," he added. "We were happy with the way the team were playing in previous games but we have made a sub at half-time, it's not pre-conditioned.

"You are always looking at the freshness of the team and the balance of the team and whether changes are going to make an improvement to the team or not.

"But all of the players go into the game in good condition. The game will take us in a certain direction that will make that decision for us."

As for the threat the Netherlands pose, Southgate is preparing for anything that Oranje boss Ronald Koeman throws at him.

"Dutch teams don't tend to sit in and that's not what we've seen from them, but Ronald Koeman is an experienced coach," Southgate continued. 

"We are prepared for anything, it will be an exciting game with many good players on the pitch.

"We need another step from what we showed in the last game, it's a step up in quality of opponents and we are ready for that."

Gareth Southgate acknowledged heightened England expectations contributed to a drab start at Euro 2024, as he called for a fearless Three Lions in Wednesday's semi-final against the Netherlands.

England were unconvincing en route to topping Group C, scraping past Serbia before back-to-back draws with Denmark and Slovenia.

Southgate's side again needed some fortune in the last 16, levelling through Jude Bellingham's remarkable 95th-minute overhead kick before Harry Kane sealed victory in extra time.

Though a penalty shoot-out victory was required to see off Switzerland in the last eight, where England trailed late one before Bukayo Saka's sumptuous equaliser, Southgate believes that showing was an improvement.

"One of our strengths over the years has been having less fear, showing less inhibition but at the beginning of the tournament the expectation weighed heavily and the noise from outside had never been louder," the England manager said ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Netherlands in Dortmund.

"We couldn't quite get ourselves in the right place. What was impressive in the end was that we ground it out and found ways to win.

"I thought that shifted against the Swiss, you saw a freer version of us on the ball. The group changed, if not the messaging.

"Now it's about what is possible and not what might go wrong. This is now the chance to make history. We are trying to break new ground and that is not easy but the players have been resilient."

England will be aiming to become just the sixth instance of a side reaching back-to-back Euros finals, having lost in the delayed 2020 edition to Italy.

Though the core of Kane, Declan Rice, John Stones and Jordan Pickford remain from that defeat, the likes of Ivan Toney, Eberechi Eze and Kobbie Mainoo are all new faces for the Three Lions.

"I am very fortunate to have a fabulous group of players, we work as a team and we always have," Southgate added.

"We review what we could do better as a coaching team as well as what the players could do, we are very open about that.

"The way the 26 have bonded in the last few weeks has been special, half of the squad have had no tournament experience. We've got 21 of the players onto the pitch with no dead rubbers and that has made people even more connected."

Another selection decision awaits Southgate, who must choose between recalling Luke Shaw for his first start since mid-February or backing makeshift left-back Kieran Trippier again.

Shaw impressed in a short cameo during the quarter-final against Switzerland, though his fitness remains a concern for England.

"Luke Shaw has been injured for four months, it wasn't a possibility for him to play until the last match where he made a good contribution," Southgate continued.

"We have to decide if he is ready to start but we are very happy to have him back.

"He gives us balance, but Kieran Trippier has done a fantastic job. He has had many important nights with us over the last seven or eight years. He's great around the squad, we are very fortunate to have players like him in our squad."

The final three matches of Euro 2024 are upon us, and the action kicked off on Tuesday with Spain taking on France.

Les Bleus were one of the pre-tournament favourites, but it is Spain who were more impressive en route to the last four. 

The other semi-final will see England face the Netherlands on Wednesday. 

And here, we round up the best posts from social media across the past few days.

Ice-cool Ivan

Ivan Toney stayed cool from the spot as he slotted his penalty home for England in their 5-3 shoot-out win over Switzerland.

The Brentford man showed the kind of composure he has so often in the Premier League, being widely regarded as one of the best penalty takers in the European game.

Indeed, such is the 28-year-old's confidence from 12 yards, he didn't even need to look at the ball as he stroked it beyond Yann Sommer.

And England's social media team took the chance to show just what Toney can do without even having to look...

MVP

It was hardly a classic between France and Portugal last Friday.

But Les Bleus got the job done on penalties to advance from their quarter-final tie, and substitute Ousmane Dembele was particularly impressive.

He was the player who got all the plaudits from his team-mates at full-time.

Alexander's joy

Scenes of supporters celebrating wildly at fan zones up and down Germany are always popular, but one particular fan captured Spanish hearts last week.

Surrounded by Germany fans as he watched La Roja's extra-time win over the hosts, it is fair to say this man – later identified as Alexander – enjoyed himself. 

Spain rewarded his passion by inviting him to meet members of the squad, posting heart-warming footage of the meet-and-greet on X.

Fussballliebe gets new look

The semi-final stage of a major tournament means one thing: a new look for the ball.

Euro 2024's star, the Fussballliebe, has been decked out in silver ahead of the matches.

It is gold, though, that the four remaining contenders will be targeting in the coming days.

The Oranje wall?

Clad all in orange while bouncing down the streets of host cities, the Netherlands' fans have been one of the highlights of the tournament.

They will descend upon Dortmund for Wednesday's second semi-final, looking to extend England's run of major tournament hurt.

The famous Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park could turn Oranje, and the stadium looked resplendent as the Netherlands' social media admin took in the views on Tuesday.

Saka's reward

Saturday was a good day for Bukayo Saka.

Having seen England fall behind to Switzerland in a tense quarter-final clash, the Arsenal winger rescued his country with a terrific 20-yard strike into the bottom-left corner.

He then held his nerve in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, beating Sommer to exorcise the demons of his costly kick in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

On Tuesday, the tournament's official X account awarded Saka the goal of the round award for the last eight.

Is it too much ask for more of the same on Wednesday? England fans will be hoping not.