Euro 2024: Why we lost 2-1 to England – Netherlands coach, Koeman
The Netherlands head coach, Ronald Koeman, has said his team deserved to play extra time in their Euro 2024 semi-final loss to England.
The Dutch took the lead early in the first half, before Harry Kane levelled the game from the penalty spot.
In the 91st minute, Ollie Watkins latched on to Cole Palmer’s pass to score the winner.
Koeman, speaking on ITV after the game, said: “In the second half, it was more 50/50, there were problems in our midfield in the first half. We didn’t control how they played between the lines with Bellingham and Foden, that was really difficult.
“We had to change to put one more in midfield. Then it was a 50/50 match.
“My feeling was in the last 20/25 minutes, maybe our team is a little bit more fresh than England.
“But they scored a late goal in the last minute and that’s football. Sometimes I don’t say it’s unlucky because it’s a great goal.
“Maybe we deserved extra time, but it’s like that. We can be proud about our team, our players because we had a great tournament and unlucky that it stops tonight.”