Van der Vaart Slams England After Dramatic Euro 2024 Semi-Final Win
Former Real Madrid star and Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart was left fuming after England’s 2-1 win over the Oranje in the Euro 2024 semi-final. The Dutch midfielder didn’t mince words, calling the Three Lions "a s*** team" in a fiery rant.
Van der Vaart’s criticism came as a response to England’s comeback win, which saw them overturn an early deficit courtesy of Ollie Watkins’ 89th-minute winner. The Dutchman conceded that his own team didn’t perform much better, stating, "We had a few chances. There could have been so much more in it."
The 39-year-old’s outburst sparked a heated debate, with even Netherlands captain Virgil Van Dijk venting his frustration at the referee in his post-match interview. "It says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and had no time to shake his hand," the Liverpool defender said.
England’s victory was set up by an inspired performance from Declan Rice, who was involved in a controversy earlier in the match. The Three Lions’ opener came courtesy of Xavi Simons, who dispossessed Rice and unleashed a powerful long-range shot that left Jordan Pickford with no chance.
The Dutch youngster’s goal was a rare highlight in an otherwise lackluster first half. England’s dominance was rewarded just 11 minutes later, with Harry Kane converting a penalty after a VAR check on a late challenge from Denzel Dumfries.
As the clock ticked down, it looked like the match was heading for a stalemate. However, Watkins’ sublime finish in the 89th minute sparked wild celebrations among the English camp.
The win sets up an all-English final against Portugal, with Gareth Southgate’s men bidding to bring home their first major tournament title since 1966.
In conclusion, while Van der Vaart’s comments may have been unpalatable to English fans, there’s no denying that the Three Lions are on the cusp of a major triumph. As we await the final showdown, follow us on all social media platforms for more updates and analysis!