In Dortmund, Germany, Dutch supporters arrived at the stadium in a vibrant march, 100,000 strong, full of hope and anticipation. Their dream of a European Championship title since 1988 came to an end when Ollie Watkins’ last-minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals. Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman expressed his disappointment, stating, “A great goal, but then it’s over, and that’s difficult to accept.”

The journey back for the Dutch fans will be bittersweet due to a contentious penalty call in England’s favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries collided with Harry Kane while attempting to block a shot. Koeman voiced his disagreement with the decision, attributing it to the impact of VAR on the game. Prior to the penalty, the atmosphere in the stadium was filled with celebration and joy among the Dutch supporters.

A victory for the Netherlands would have set up a final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday, a repeat of their 2010 World Cup final. The Dutch team had a mixed performance throughout the tournament, with standout moments like a draw with France and wins against Romania and Turkey. Dumfries played a pivotal role in the semifinal, conceding the penalty that enabled England to equalize, hitting the crossbar with a header, and making a goal-line clearance.

Reflecting on the penalty incident, Dumfries acknowledged the contact but expressed his frustration, accepting responsibility for the outcome. The match was one of fine margins, where small details had significant consequences. Despite the defeat, the Dutch fans displayed unwavering support for their team, making their presence felt at the stadium.