Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville both felt the same way about one key moment in England’s Euro 2024 semi-final win over the Netherlands.
England punched their ticket to the final of Euro 2024 in Germany after a comeback win against Ronald Koeman’s men on Wednesday evening in Dortmund.
The Netherlands took the lead in the opening 10 minutes at the Westfalenstadion after highly rated Dutch prospect Xavi Simons found the back of the net.
However, Xavi Simons’ opener for the Netherlands was cancelled out in the first half after England captain Harry Kane successfully converted from the spot-kick.
England sealed their victory over Ronald Koeman’s side after Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins came off the bench and broke the deadlock in the 90th minute.
The Three Lions will now travel to the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday for their showdown with Spain in the final of this summer’s Euros.
Gareth Southgate fell short of the Henri Delaunay trophy at Euro 2020, but England are now through to their second consecutive European Championship final.
Spain, who are considered the favourites going into the Euro 2024 final, produced a sensational 2-1 comeback win against France on Wednesday.
Neville reacts to controversial call at Euro 2024
England were fortunate to pull back an equaliser against the Netherlands after Harry Kane won a controversial penalty decision in the semi-final encounter.
Kane had hit a rising strike over the crossbar while inside the penalty area, only for the Bayern Munich striker to be caught by a high foot from Denzel Dumfries.
VAR intervened and referee Felix Zwayer went over to the monitor to take a second look, with a penalty subsequently awarded to England after the review.
Speaking on ITV at half-time, Gary Neville insisted that it was a “mad” decision to see from the referee and it was a “disgrace” that a penalty was awarded to England.
“As a defender, I think it’s a disgrace,” he said.
“At any time, in a game of such importance, I was fuming by the Denmark one [a handball against Germany], I was offended.
“It’s natural to block the shot, it’s not a penalty, nowhere near a penalty.
“We’re all going mad, we don’t know what a penalty is. We’ve conditioned ourselves in the game to think that’s a penalty.
“Honestly, that is not a penalty. I think in the box, there’s a bit of licence to go in and block the shot.”
Keane reacts to England penalty decision
Roy Keane, much like Neville, was in full agreement that Denzel Dumfries’ challenge did not warrant a penalty in favour of England in the semi-final clash.
The Manchester United legend admitted that sometimes a “little bit of luck” is needed, but he remained firm on his position over the controversial penalty.
“It wasn’t a penalty in my eyes, no. But you need a little bit of luck in this game,” Keane said.
“I take the point that if it’s anywhere else on the pitch, it’s a free-kick, but when it’s a big decision, I’ve always like the physicality of football and in the box, split decisions – not for me.”
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