England and the Netherlands vie for Euro 2024 final slot against Spain

England and the Netherlands play on Wednesday night in Dortmund for the right to take on Spain on Sunday in Berlin in the Euro 2024 final.

England, who lost in the 2020 showdown against Italy, will be attempting to become only the fourth team after the Soviet Union, Germany and Spain to reach consecutive finals in the 64-year history of the competition.

However, unlike the troika, England have failed to lift the crown.

"We have a chance to get to the first final not held in England," said England boss Gareth Southgate on the eve of the clash at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund.

"So we're we're trying to break new ground," he added. "That's difficult and it's complicated but the players have responded brilliantly and the resilience that's been built ... we've been very fortunate."

England were promoted as one of the favourites for the title but their performances during the group stages swiftly dampened expectations.

They edged past Serbia 1-0 in their opening game in Group C. That was followed by two stalemates against Denmark and Slovenia to give them top place and a last-16 rendez-vous with Slovakia.

Southgate's men were 85 seconds from eleimination when Jude Bellingham scored a spectacular scissors kick to equalise.

In the first minute of extra-time skipper Harry Kane scored his second goal of the tournament to give them the lead and they held on.

"The players have ground results out and found ways to win," added Southgate. "I felt that shifted once we'd got into the knockout stage and definitely in the quarter final.

"It’s really 50-50 in my opinion. But we will need the perfect game to win.

Read more on RFI English

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