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Netherlands Dump England Out Of The Nations League After Defensive Horror Show

Netherlands Dump England Out Of The Nations League After Defensive Horror Show

Ronald Koeman will lead the Netherlands to the Estádio do Dragão on Sunday to face Portugal in the inaugural Nations League final!

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

England's defensive collapse in extra-time sealed their fate in the Nations League as they lost 3-1 to Netherlands.

Gareth Southgate's men unraveled at the back and gifted the Dutch a place in the final against Portugal on Sunday.

The Three Lions didn't put on the most impressive performance in the first half, but they took the lead after a surprising error made from Matthijs de Ligt.

The 19-year-old Ajax captain brought down Marcus Rashford in a reckless challenge, with the Manchester United forward stepping up and slotting the ball past Jasper Cillessen with ease.

Jadon Sancho, who was replaced by Jesse Lingard in the second half, missed an amazing opportunity to double his side's lead when his free header from six yards out went straight into the hands of Cillessen.

Ronald Koeman's side put the pressure on the Three Lions in the second half and made a breakthrough when De Ligt headed home from a corner.

Jesse Lingard slotted the ball into the back of the net after a delightful through ball from Ross Barkley, only for VAR to spring into action and rule it out.

PA

The match went into extra-time with the scores level at 1-1, but it all went terribly wrong for England in the first half.

John Stones had a complete horror show when Harry Maguire played the ball back to him and he tried a Cruyff Turn only to lose the ball.

Jordan Pickford did well to save the initial shot, but he couldn't stop Quincy Promes from putting pressure on him and an own goal being given after it deflected off Kyle Walker.

Another defensive howler in the second half allowed Memphis Depay to pass the ball into the path of Promes, who buried it into the back of the net.

PA

The Netherlands will face Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão.

The 2016 Euro champions were able to brush aside Switzerland 3-1 on Wednesday thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's fantastic hat-trick.

After last summer's heartbreak for England fans in the World Cup, they were eager for their side to win the inaugural Nations League competition.

But they'll have to make do with a third-place play-off on Sunday against Switzerland.

PA

Netherlands or Portugal to win in the final?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Nations League, UEFA, three lions, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Ronald Koeman, Gareth Southgate