The Oranje suffered a disappointing exit from the competition due to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute goal for the Three Lions. The match had initially seen Xavi Simons and Harry Kane scoring in the first half, leading to a tense and closely contested game.
Simons’ spectacular early strike gave the Netherlands an early advantage. However, England equalized when referee Felix Zwayer awarded a controversial penalty after consulting the video assistant referee.
The penalty was given for Denzel Dumfries’ challenge on Kane, a decision that many, including Van Dijk, found questionable. Kane capitalized on the opportunity, converting the penalty to bring the score to 1-1.
After the match, Van Dijk expressed his frustration with Zwayer’s officiating. Speaking to beIN Sports, he suggested that Zwayer’s swift exit from the pitch at full-time reflected the controversial nature of his decisions. “I don’t know what to say, I don’t know if I should say something about this.
But I think it says it all that the referee went in quite quickly after the game, had no time to shake his hand,” Van Dijk remarked.
In a separate interview with NOS, Van Dijk elaborated on his disappointment. He was careful not to place all the blame on the referee but could not hide his frustration. “To blame it on that, I don’t want to do that either. I just don’t know what to say. It hurts a lot. If you concede it so late in the match, then that is of course terrible.
You put everything into it, everyone gives everything, and then when it falls like that in the last minute…that just sucks, sorry to say it like that,” he said.
Van Dijk also highlighted the Netherlands’ dominance in possession and their efforts to capitalize on key moments in the game. “You have more possession and want to punish the little moments that you get. It felt like we could make it 2-1. But that didn’t happen and now we’re standing here empty-handed,” he lamented.
Statistically, Zwayer’s decisions seemed to favor England in several instances. The Netherlands were penalized 11 times for fouls compared to England’s six. Additionally, Zwayer issued three yellow cards to each team, further illustrating the contentious nature of his officiating.
The match’s outcome and the manner in which it was decided left the Dutch players and fans feeling aggrieved. Van Dijk’s comments captured the emotional toll of the loss and the sense of injustice felt by the Netherlands team.
As they reflect on this defeat, the Oranje will undoubtedly analyze both their performance and the refereeing decisions that played a crucial role in their elimination from the competition.
