Netherlands-England and the major scandal nobody talked about
England have reached their second consecutive Euros final and will face Spain after beating the Netherlands 2-1. However, things could have been different.
The game started well for the Dutch, who took the lead through a Xavi Simons strike that left Jordan Pickford baffled
England immediately started chasing the equalizer and were rewarded when referee Felix Zwayer awarded a controversial penalty after a clash between Denzel Dumfries and Harry Kane.
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It was a decision that could have gone either way, but Zwayer decided to award the penalty after looking at the VAR images. "An absolute disgrace," former England international Gary Neville told ITV.
However, just before the clash between Dumfries and Kane, England's Bukayo Saka clearly touched the ball with both hands, completely changing the trajectory of the ball.
Numerous fans shared images of the phase on X and expressed their disbelief that Zwayer did not see that Saka used his hands. "The Netherlands were 100% robbed," one fan wrote.
"VAR even missed or didn't care about Saka's handball on both hands before the penalty situation. Lucky England should thank the refs," that same fan added.
Zwayer's decision is even more controversial if one remembers Loïs Openda's 'handball' in Belgium's opening game against Slovakia, in which the striker only slightly brushed the ball and did not change its trajectory. In Saka's case, the ball changed direction completely before it ended up with Kane.
The night took an even more dramatic turn for the Dutch, who suffered a late Ollie Watkins winner to send England through to the final against Spain.
What do you think? Should England's penalty have been ruled out for Saka's handball? Let us know in the comments!
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