Koeman Says VAR Has Broken Football After Netherlands' Euro 2024 Heartbreak

Ronald Koeman expressed his frustration with VAR following the Netherlands' Euro 2024 semi-final loss to England. The Oranje seemed poised for a final clash with Spain after Xavi Simons scored early in the match. However, England equalised through Harry Kane's penalty and secured victory with Ollie Watkins' last-minute goal.

The penalty that allowed Kane to level the score was contentious. Denzel Dumfries' high boot caught Kane after he had already taken his shot. Referee Felix Zwayer awarded the penalty after consulting the pitchside monitor, prompting Koeman to criticise VAR's influence on the game.

"In my opinion, it should not have been a penalty," said Koeman. "He [Kane] kicked the ball and the boots touched. I think that we cannot play proper football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football."

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Virgil van Dijk, captain of the Dutch team, acknowledged that the penalty was a crucial moment but refrained from commenting on Zwayer's officiating. "I think the penalty moment is a big moment; England had some confidence out of it," he said. "I think so many decisions didn’t go our way, but I don’t want to speak about the referee."

England's Prospects in Final

Despite their underdog status against Spain in Sunday's final, Koeman believes England has a chance to win. "I think England showed great football in the first half after being 1-0 down," he noted. "It is football. Maybe if you watch all of the matches of the Spanish team, they are playing more offensive, great wingers and ball possession and you need to stop that."

"But England are in the final and have the possibility to win it. Spain are playing on a high level but England can stop them. Why not?"

The match against Spain will be challenging for England, but their performance against the Netherlands suggests they could overcome Spain’s offensive play.