Euro 2024

FANS have changed their tune on referee Felix Zwayer after he awarded England a controversial penalty against the Netherlands.Harry Kane was caught late in the box by Denzel Dumfries after taking a shot at goal.Harry Kane was caught late in the area after taking a shotCredit: GettyReferee Felix Zwayer initially failed to award the penaltyCredit: AFPBut he overturned his decision after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitorThere was clear contact made on Kane’s foot after his shotCredit: ReutersHis strike blazed over the crossbar as the England captain fell to the ground clutching his foot.There was contact made but the referee initially failed to award a penalty.However he was advised to review the incident on the VAR monitor and reversed his decision after watching the foul back multiple times.But some fans were still surprised to see the spot-kick given and quickly showed their appreciation for Zwayer.READ MORE ON EURO 2024One supporter reacted saying: “Love this ref – never in doubt.”Another added: “Love this dodgy ref to be honest 😂”A third wrote: “I obviously love it but that is never ever ever a pen 😂😂😂”Shock it’s the ref that’s corrupt. Thank god it’s for us.”Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEngland’s controversial penaltyBy Mark HalseyHARRY KANE was gifted a penalty by controversial referee Felix Zwayer.If England had been on the receiving end of that decision, we would have been absolutely fuming.The German official, previously banned for six months for his part in a match-fixing scandal, should not have been sent to the pitchside monitor by VAR Bastian Dankert.Both Denzel Dumfries and Kane had their feet in the air as England’s captain got his shot away.It was just a clash of legs and certainly NOT a ‘clear and obvious error’.Once Zwayer went over to the monitor, we knew what was going to happen.He is an excellent referee but we have seen that none of the officials seem mentally tough enough to stick with their original call.I know some people will argue Dumfries was late to the tackle and it would have been a free-kick elsewhere on the pitch.But it is a contact sport and it’s natural that there will be a coming together in instances like that.Aside from the penalty award, Zwayer had a good game.There were fears decisions would go against England because of Jude Bellingham’s previous comments about Zwayer.Bellingham was fined £34,000 in 2021 for blaming Zwayer and his match-fixing past for Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.But Zwayer was right to caution Bellingham for his reckless challenge on Stefan de Vrij in the second half.Zwayer was charged with match fixing in 2006England ratings vs HollandENGLAND 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: 7Bigger 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: 7Looked 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: 7Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.Marc Guehi: 6Came 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: 7Razor-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: 6Lost 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: 8Was 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: 6We 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: 7The 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: 5Back 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: 6Won 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.SUBSLuke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6Looked 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): 7Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.Gareth Southgate: 8His 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. ITV pundit Gary Neville criticised the decision, calling it a “disgrace”.He said: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace. It’s an absolutely disgraceful decision, To have that given against me as a penalty at any time, but in a game of such importance.Beers go flying at Boxpark as Harry Kane levels semi final vs Netherlands from penalty spot”He goes in naturally just to try and block the shot. It’s not a penalty it’s nowhere near a penalty and I have to say I don’t think there were many England players claiming for it either.”It’s never a penalty but you take your luck.”It is a big change of heart from the England faithful, many of whom bemoaned the decision to appoint him for this match because of his chequered past.The German official was banned from football for six months back in 2005 due to his involvement in a huge scandal.Zwayer, who then worked as a linesman, accepted a £253 (€300) bribe from ref Robert Hoyzer to help him fix a second division match.After his comeback, Zwayer was promoted to a Bundesliga official in 2009 and he has since been slammed by Jude Bellingham.While playing for Borussia Dortmund, the England midfielder raged following a defeat to Bayern Munich as the Bavarians were awarded a controversial penalty for handball three years ago.Bellingham said in a post-match interview: “For me it wasn’t a penalty. Hummels is not even looking at the ball and he’s fighting to get it. It hits him, I don’t think he’s looking at the ball.”You can look at a lot of the other decisions in the game.READ MORE SUN STORIES”You give a referee that has, you know, match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany – what do you expect?”The penalty had a crucial impact on the game as Ollie Watkins struck a last-gasp winner to hand England a 2-1 victory and a place in the final. More