ONE young fan let their excitement get the better of them before England’s Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands.
One of the Uefa mascots who escorted the Dutch side out onto the Dortmund pitch made sure he got his moment to shine on national TV ahead of the clash.
The young supporter leapt into the camera frame during the Dutch national anthem, leaving fans at home loving his momentary cameo.
The mascot had been led out onto the pitch by Inter Milan star Denzel Dumfries.
And when the cameras were focusing on the full-back belting out the Netherlands anthem, the youngster took his moment to ensure he was caught by the broadcast too.
He jumped into frame with a smile on his face and waved straight at the camera.
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Fans at home were loving the hilarious moment and took to social media to react.
One wrote: “Brilliant work from the little Dutch mascot in glasses.”
While another added: “The Dutch mascot crashing the anthem is already on the highlights reel.”
A third commented: “Shout out to the Dutch kid who seized the day!”
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And a fourth joked: “Good initiative from the youngster”.
The brief interruption didn’t stop the Netherlands players from belting out their anthem ahead of kick off.
And their passionate display clearly translated to their football after the whistle blew to kick things off in the first half.
Xavi Simons gave the Oranje an early lead with a stunning long-distance effort after just seven minutes.
However, England were quick to wipe the smiles off the Dutch fans and level the scores just 11 minutes later.
Harry Kane won a dubious penalty in the 18th minute which he calmly tucked into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Before substitute Ollie Watkins bagged a 90th minute winner for Gareth Southgate’s side to send them to the Euro 2024 final this weekend.
The Three Lions will face Spain on Sunday in their first ever major tournament final away from home soil.
England ratings vs Holland
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
SUBS
Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
