England’s dream of winning Euro 2017 was ended on Thursday night by the Netherlands with two Arsenal players causing most of the damage.
The hosts won the semi-final meeting 3-0 with Gunners pair Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk scoring the vital goals either side of half-time before a late own goal.
With England having been the highest ranked team remaining in the competition it will be a heartbreaking result for the Lionesses. For manager Mark Sampson it was certainly shirt-ripping.
Both teams started nervously but the Dutch began to settle and were rewarded via a fine header from Miedema after 22 minutes. The striker, who signed for Arsenal earlier this summer, nodded in a cross from the right.
England reacted well to the goal with Jade Moor going incredibly close shortly after they went behind with her bullet header cleared off the line.
But a self-induced goal saw the Netherlands double their lead. The England back-line failed to react to Fara Williams’ header back towards goal and Van de Donk – who’s been with Arsenal since 2015 – got there just before the keeper to find the net.
That goal came with half an hour remaining and England pushed for a goal back but it wouldn’t come. Toni Duggan came closest when her shot was cleared off the line in the 87th minute.
Right at the death a Millie Bright own goal sealed the result with the England player deflecting a cross into her own net.
It means the 51 year wait for an England tournament win goes on.
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