Virgil van Dijk was left frustrated after the Netherlands were eliminated from the 2024 Euros, losing to England in the semi-finals on Wednesday. The Dutch captain suggested that his team was ‘robbed’ by German referee Felix Zwayer at Signal Iduna Park.
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Van Dijk, a key defensive player for the Dutch, couldn’t stop the Three Lions from securing a comeback victory. Despite a lackluster group stage, the Netherlands found their form in the knockout rounds, defeating Romania 3-0 in the Round of 16 and overcoming a deficit to beat Turkey in the quarter-finals. However, their journey ended in the semi-finals with a 2-1 loss to England.
The match’s turning point was a contentious penalty awarded to England. Harry Kane converted the penalty to equalize after Xavi Simons’ spectacular goal. Substitute Ollie Watkins then scored in stoppage time, sealing England’s victory and a spot in the final. Van Dijk criticized referee Felix Zwayer’s performance, implying that the official avoided post-match confrontations by quickly retreating to the dressing room.
Van Dijk voiced his frustration, stating, “The match referee ran straight into the dressing room after the end of the match. This gives you an idea of what happened today,” as quoted by Football Tweet. The Dutch captain’s comments reflect the team’s disappointment and belief that the referee’s decisions influenced the match’s outcome.
The penalty decision was a major talking point. Former England defender Jamie Carragher also questioned the call, arguing that England shouldn’t have been awarded the penalty after Denzel Dumfries’ challenge on Harry Kane. Despite the controversy, the decision was upheld as correct according to FIFA rules.
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As England celebrates their hard-fought victory and prepares for the final, the Netherlands is left to reflect on another missed opportunity. The match has sparked debates over refereeing decisions and their impact on crucial games, highlighting the intense emotions and high stakes of international football.
