Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk was visibly upset with the controversial refereeing decision that awarded England a penalty during Wednesday night’s Euro 2024 semi-final.
After the match, Van Dijk expressed his frustration following what was undoubtedly a heartbreaking defeat for the Netherlands. England’s Ollie Watkins scored a late goal, securing a spot in Sunday’s final against Spain.
In the first half, the referee initially dismissed the penalty claim but then reversed his decision after consulting VAR, allowing Harry Kane to equalise from the spot. Van Dijk commented on the incident, suggesting the referee realized his mistake as he left the pitch quickly, preventing the Dutch players from discussing the call with him.
Despite Van Dijk’s frustration, England fans are celebrating as Gareth Southgate leads the team to their second consecutive Euros final. The Three Lions now have the opportunity to redeem themselves after their disappointing loss to Italy in the final three years ago.
The use of VAR in high-stakes matches continues to spark controversy, with significant decisions like this one drawing intense scrutiny. As the final approaches, the quality of officiating remains a critical concern in ensuring fair play in these pivotal games.
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