Koeman Criticizes 'Game-changing' VAR Call in Dutch Defeat to England

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman criticized the use of video assistant referees (VAR) for "breaking football" following England's contentious penalty in Tuesday's Euro 2024 semi-final.

The Dutch team took an early lead with Xavi Simons' powerful strike, but England's Harry Kane was caught by Denzel Dumfries on the follow-through after shooting over the bar. Initially, no penalty was awarded, but referee Felix Zwayer changed his decision after consulting the VAR monitor.

Kane scored the resulting penalty, and substitute Ollie Watkins netted a 90th-minute winner, securing England's place in Sunday's final against Spain.

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

Former England defender and ITV pundit Gary Neville supported the Netherlands' grievances. "As a defender, I think it's an absolutely disgraceful decision," he said. "There's no way that was a penalty. He just goes in naturally to block the shot. It's not a penalty for me."

Ex-England striker Alan Shearer shared his view on BBC Radio 5 Live: "There is no doubt that there is contact, but the defender [Dumfries] is trying to block the ball. The follow-through from Harry Kane makes the connection and I didn't think it was a howler to be turned over."

Netherlands and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also considered the penalty decision pivotal. "I think the penalty moment is a big moment, England had some confidence out of it," he remarked. "I think so many decisions didn't go our way, but I don't want to speak about the referee."