BITTER The German press accused England of “cheating” to reach the Euro 2024 final.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions face Spain in Berlin on Sunday as they look to lift a major trophy in men’s football for the first time since 1966.
It has not been an easy journey for England as they have fought in every game, relying on penalties, extra time, stoppage time goals and their own resilience to reach this weekend’s final.
And German media claimed Southgate’s side “cheated” their way to the bright lights of Berlin, suggesting England should not have got past the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner against the Dutch was the goal that sealed a second chance at European glory for Southgate’s Lions.
Watkins pounced on Harry Kane’s first-half penalty equalizer, which left the Dutch players and staff furious after Denzel Dumfries was adjudged to have fouled the England captain in the box.
Oranje players were adamant that the penalty should not have stood, with many suggesting the referee made the completely wrong decision following a VAR check.
AND German outlet BILD has since labeled England cheats in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown with Spain.
A post on their website reads: “There are just two days left until the 17th European Championship final between Spain and England, which will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
“Sunday’s signs are clear: while the British cheated their way to the final, the Spanish impressed throughout the tournament.”
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While another post on the site classifies the game as “the team that plays the most beautiful football against the team that plays the most pragmatic football”.
Following England’s dramatic 2-1 victory over the Netherlands, Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk also hinted that the penalty awarded to the Three Lions should not have been allowed to stand.
In a post-match interview, he took aim at referee Felix Zwayer, saying: “I don’t know what I should say, I don’t know if I should say anything about this.
“I said this to our Dutch media, it says it all that the referee came in quickly after the game and we didn’t have time to shake his hand.
“It is what it is, the game is done, it is very difficult to take.
“At certain times it is obvious that [decisions] It should have gone our way, but it didn’t. I don’t know what to say, it’s hard to accept this.
“It was a very long year, a difficult year. We had a big dream and we felt we could have achieved it as a team, but unfortunately that didn’t happen.”
While Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman made a similar assessment in his post-departure interview.
He said: “That’s not a penalty. His only intention was to block a shot. Harry Kane then shoots and his feet collide.
“Football is breaking down with this type of VAR call.”
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But Dumfries, who brought down Kane from the penalty spot, threw up his hands and took responsibility for the decision.
He said: “I take full responsibility for the timing of the penalty. I didn’t do it on purpose. I just wanted to block the shot.”
Parts of the English media even thought the Three Lions were lucky to make the decision, as Gary Neville described the penalty as “a disgrace”.
But others thought the decision was the right one, with Ian Wright labeling Dumfries’ intervention as “reckless”.
England’s hard work earned them a place in Sunday’s final and the team continues to get better with each game.
They will play their first major final on foreign soil this weekend against Spain, who Southgate has claimed are “the best team” at Euro 2024.
Germany were eliminated by the Spanish themselves in the quarter-finals – a 2-1 defeat, after a goal from Mikel Merino, in the 119th minute, took Spain past the goal.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
