Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in their Euro 2024 semi-final against England courtesy of a stunning strike, with Declan Rice at fault.

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• Simons scores screamer in seventh minute
• Rice criticised for involvement
• Spain await the winner in Sunday's final

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Simons beat Jordan Pickford with a special strike from distance just seven minutes in after dispossessing England's Rice deep in the Three Lions' half. The Netherlands' lead was short-lived, though, with Harry Kane restoring parity from the penalty spot in the 18th minute.

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• WATCH SIMONS' GOAL

• HOW FANS REACTED

  Fans were quick to criticise Rice for the way he was easily shrugged off the ball by the considerably-smaller Simons.

  X user @UtdEIIis wrote: "Rice stripping as per don’t put that guy in the same bracket as Rodri."

  @Billie_T added: "Never forget arsenal fans spent a year trying to gaslight everyone into thinking rice is better than Rodri."

  Meanwhile, @UTDTrey said: "THEY COMPARED THIS FRAUD RICE TO RODRI AND MAINOO."

  @CFCMod_ wrote: "Someone clip that mistake from Declan Rice immediately, what on earth was he doing."

  Another fan, @utdrobbo, added: "I cannot understate how bad Declan Rice has been this EUROs."

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  WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

  The Netherlands' lead lasted just 11 minutes in what was a frantic start to proceedings in Dortmund. Kane won a penalty after Denzel Dumfries was penalised following a VAR review of his collision with the England No.9, and the Bayern Munich striker scored from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News