Figures in the Dutch media have vented their fury after England beat the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the final of Euro 2024 on Wednesday night.
The Three Lions fell behind in the seventh minute when Xavi Simons unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner.
But goals from Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins sent England through to the final, with Gareth Southgate’s team now set to lock horns with Spain on Sunday.
England were the better side on the night, creating more chances and having more of the ball than their opponents.
England beat the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the final of Euro 2024 on Wednesday night
PA
However, figures in the Dutch media have been left enraged and disappointed by the result.
Rafael van der Vaart, who previously played in England for Tottenham, dubbed Southgate’s side ‘s**t’ as he struggled to come to terms with the result.
He told Dutch broadcaster NOS: “What a s**t team they are.
“Slowly, they didn’t want to do anything anymore.
“They have such top players on the field. We didn’t do much either. We had a few chances. There could have been so much more in it.”
JUST IN:Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman makes furious complaint after crushing Euro 2024 defeat to England
One of the biggest talking points in the match was Kane’s goal.
The Bayern Munich star scored from 12 yards after being fouled by Denzel Dumfries inside the box.
Both Ronald Koeman and Virgil van Dijk have complained about the decision, with the pair insisting a spot-kick should never have been given.
And Dutch outlet VI say the ‘international press were unanimous about the penalty moment with Dumfries’.
They also suggest Bukayo Saka should have been penalised for handball in the build-up to the incident.
READ MORE:BBC urged to ‘get rid’ of Gary Lineker after controversial comments in Spain win over France
Referee Felix Zwayer has come in for criticism, too.
Former Dutch striker Pierre van Dooijdonk, who was working alongside Van der Vaart for NOS, called for the referee to be ‘blacklisted’ from future matches.
“(Referee) Felix Zwayer and the VAR Bastian Dankert: (should be) blacklisted. Terrible,” he raged.
Van Dijk, meanwhile, has admitted the defeat is tough to accept for himself and his team-mates.
“I don’t know if I should say something about that,” the Liverpool star said when asked about the penalty incident.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
England have been dubbed a ‘s**t team’ by a bitter Rafael van der Vaart after their Euro 2024 win over the Netherlands
NOS
“I said it to the Dutch media. I think it says it all that the referee went in quite quickly after the game.
“I had no time to shake his hand.
“But it is what it is, the game is done, we lost, certain moments were obvious that they should have gone our way, but they didn’t, whatever the outcome.
“It is difficult to accept this. It has been a tough year. We had a big dream and we felt we could have achieved it.”
He added: “They keep changing certain things, small changes that could have a big impact.
England benefitted from a controversial penalty decision in their Euro 2024 win over the Netherlands
PA
“Maybe it’s a good thing that they could be held accountable as well.
“They didn’t come here and speak to you and explain themselves like we have to when we do something wrong.
“That might be something. But I shouldn’t speak about others and we have to look at ourselves.”