Netherlands booked their spot in the UEFA Nations League final courtesy of a 3-1 win over England in Thursday night's eventful semi-final in Portugal.
Matthijs de Ligt cancelled out a Marcus Rashford penalty to force extra-time in the last-four clash and it was Netherlands that triumphed courtesy of an own goal from Kyle Walker and late Quincy Promes strike.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live coverage of the action below.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Netherlands and England from Portugal. The winner of tonight's contest will face Portugal in the final, with the Euro 2016 winners recording a 3-1 win over Switzerland in the first semi-final on Wednesday night. Stay tuned for what should be a very interesting game!
TEAMS!
NED: Cillessen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Blind; De Roon, Wijnaldum, De Jong; Bergwijn, Memphis, Babel
ENG: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Delph, Rice, Barkley; Sterling, Rashford, Sancho
With Harry Kane only on the bench, Raheem Sterling captains England tonight on his 50th cap. The Manchester City attacker is joined by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho as part of an exciting front three, while there are midfield spots for Declan Rice, Fabian Delph and Ross Barkley. Ben Chilwell is given the nod at left-back, with Danny Rose only on the bench.
As for Netherlands, a 4-3-3 formation sees Ryan Babel and Steven Bergwijn join Memphis Depay in the final third of the field. Georginio Wijnaldum and Virgil van Dijk both start despite being involved in the Champions League final, as does new Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Joining Van Dijk at the back is the incredibly talented Matthijs de Ligt, who is yet to decide his next club.
Here we go then - the national anthems have been sung, the handshakes have been undertaken and the flags exchanged. We are just about ready to get this semi-final underway!
KICKOFF: England kick things off in Portugal...
... it must be said that there is a brilliant atmosphere in a stadium, with both national teams well represented in the stands. Netherlands have taken control of the early possession with De Jong already looking for a through pass towards Memphis but Stones is across to clear.
It is quite frantic at the moment with both teams losing possession in the middle of the park. It has been a very rainy day and therefore the pitch is likely. A dangerous cross from Sancho has just arrived inside the Netherlands box but Sterling could not meet the ball at the far post.
CLOSE! Half-chance for England as Maguire meets a corner, but the Leicester defender's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Van Dijk was unable to get near that cross, which makes a change.
Memphis works a little bit of space outside the England box before striking towards goal, but Stones is on hand to make the block. A poor pass from Barkley led to that half-chance.
SAVE! Pickford has to get down to keep out a low strike from Bergwijn after some sloppy defending from Maguire. Netherlands have just started to take control of the ball here.
Walker drives forward for England and should find Rashford with a pass, but it is poor from the Manchester City right-back and Cillessen has the ball in his grasp with 10 minutes played.
More danger for England as Netherlands break forward through Wijnaldum, but Memphis gets it all wrong as he loses control outside the box. A huge let-off for Southgate's side there.
Memphis has had a bit of a shocker in the last few minutes as he concedes the ball once again. There is a lot of space for Netherlands, especially in the final third of the field.
Pickford's kicking has been a bit erratic in the early moments and another loose pass allows Netherlands to break forward once again. England are having to defend with 16 on the clock.
Just a reminder that the winner of tonight's clash will face Portugal in Sunday's final. Ronaldo scored a brilliant hat-trick to help his team overcome Switzerland last night. Still goalless in Portugal but Netherlands are in control at the moment as they continue to pass and probe.
Dumfries is fortunate to escape a yellow card for taking out Chilwell, who has been bright in the early stages here. The resulting free kick is delivered by the Leicester City defender but the referee's whistle is blown as Van Dijk hits the ground to win his team a free kick.
SHOT! Pickford is down to keep out a fairly tame strike from Memphis.
Not a great deal to report in terms of standout moments in the last few minutes. We are actually still waiting for the first serious chance of this match. Neither team has really been able to take control of the midfield battle, although Netherlands have shaded the game overall.
All Netherlands in terms of forward work at the moment with England struggling to keep the ball. Luckily for Southgate's side, the team in orange have been sloppy in the final third.
The midfield is a bit of a mis-match at the moment with De Jong running the show while the likes of Rice, Barkley and Delph chase shadows. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock but the signs are that Netherlands will continue to find space in dangerous positions.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and England are struggling to find their passing range here. It has not been great from Southgate's side to be brutally honest.
PENALTY! England have a penalty as De Ligt hacks Rashford to the ground!
YELLOW CARD! De Ligt (Netherlands) picks up a booking for the rash challenge on Rashford. It was a mistake from the Ajax captain and he could not reach the ball in time. Huge moment for England!
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 0-1 ENGLAND (RASHFORD, PEN)
England make the breakthrough as Rashford rolls the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Brilliant moment for the Manchester United attacker and Southgate's side have the lead!
Huge test for Netherlands now as England will be full of confidence after scoring the opening goal. In truth, it came from nothing as the Three Lions had offered little in the final third.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Pickford to keep out a strike from Babel.
CHANCE! Wonderful defending from Dumfires to come across and challenge Rashford after the United forward had been released by Sancho. It is a top-drawer challenge from the full-back.
It must be said that the opening 40 minutes of this match have flown past. England have found it difficult for long spells but have the lead courtesy of a penalty from Rashford. Netherlands are enjoying loads of the ball in midfield but lack a cutting edge in the final third.
SAVE! Cillessen has to save from Delph after Maguire had won a header inside the Netherlands box. Koeman's side do not look very comfortable from set pieces tonight it must be said.
Koeman does have a lot of attacking options on his bench and you do wonder whether Babel is the best choice down the left considering the pace of Walker. Almost the interval here.
YELLOW CARD! Dumfries (Netherlands) is booked for a rash challenge on Chilwell.
Chilwell is still down following that aerial challenge - it looked a bad one.
Chilwell is up on his feet despite Danny Rose getting ready to enter. Surely there is absolutely no need to take a chance on the Leicester defender - decision at half-time maybe?
Chilwell stays on for now.
Chilwell delivers a low free kick into the box which De Ligt clears.
Babel has a shot deflected behind following a poor piece of work from Stones.
CLOSE! De Ligt heads wide of the England post after meeting a cross from Memphis.
HALF TIME: NETHERLANDS 0-1 ENGLAND
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with England leading Netherlands 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Rashford. In truth, it has not been the best of games and England have struggled for long spells. The Three Lions lead, though, entering the break.
STATISTICS! Netherlands shaded the first-half possession with 55%, while they managed six attempts, three of which were on target. England had three attempts in the first period, with two of those hitting the target. Two yellows to report, both for Netherlands. The first came for De Ligt for the penalty incident, while Dumfries picked up the second for a poor challenge on Chilwell.
BENCH WATCH! Luuk de Jong, Quincy Promes, Kevin Strootman and Tonny Vilhena are amongst those available for Netherlands boss Koeman. England, meanwhile, have the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard and Callum Wilson in reserve ahead of the second period.
KICKOFF: Netherlands resume the action here...
... ENGLAND SUB! Harry Kane replaces Rashford at the interval, with the United forward taking a fair kick in the penalty incident. No other alterations here.
There is no question that England need to have a greater control of the midfield in this second period. Southgate's side have been better at the start of the second period with Delph and Rice both getting on the ball. The next goal here - if there indeed is one - will be massive.
Sterling breaks into a dangerous position for England but the offside flag was just raised. The pressure stays on, though, with Netherlands more than a bit sloppy in possession here.
The ball drops for Maguire inside the Netherlands box but his effort is hacked clear by Van Dijk and Netherlands can break through Bergwijn before Chilwell gets back to challenge.
Oh dear, having looked at the replay, looked to be a foul from Chilwell on Bergwijn inside the England box. The Three Lions are fortunate to get away with that one.
CHANCE! Huge chance for England to double their lead as Sancho meets a cross from Delph but Cillessen is on hand to make the save! Big opportunity for the Three Lions.
SAVE! Pickford has to save from Memphis after a mistake from Walker, who conceded possession to the attacker in a very dangerous position. Chances at both ends of the field here.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining and England still lead courtesy of that first-half penalty from Rashford. You do get the feeling that there is another goal or two in it.
We are entering the stage of the match where Koeman will be thinking about changes, particularly in the final third of the field. Netherlands have just won another corner following good work from De Roon, who delivered a dangerous ball towards the head of Babel.
ENGLAND SUB! Lingard replaces Sancho in England's second change.
Memphis delivers a deep free kick into the England box but Rice is on hand to make the clearance. Netherlands are enjoying a lot of the ball at the moment with 63 on the clock.
De Roon has a shot blocked on the edge of the England box as the pressure from Koeman's side continues. Still the best part of 25 minutes to play in this Nations League semi-final.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Pickford to keep out a strike from Wijnaldum.
NETHERLANDS SUBS! Babel and Roon are replaced by Promes and Van de Beek.
CLOSE! Stones heads a Chilwell free kick wide of the Netherlands post.
YELLOW CARD! Kane (Tottenham) picks up a yellow for a rash challenge on Blind.
CLOSE! Promes has a shot deflected behind for a corner as Netherlands continue to force the issue in the final third of the field. England are struggling to get out at the moment.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-1 ENGLAND (DE LIGT)
Netherlands level the scores in the 73rd minute as De Ligt climbs highest inside the England box to head into the back of the net. It is a quite wonderful header from the 19-year-old, who has shown excellent character since that mistake in the first half. Game on in Portugal!
You do get the feeling that there is a winner in this before extra-time. England have seen a bit more of the ball since the leveller but are struggling to offer a threat in the final third.
ENGLAND SUB! Henderson replaces Delph for England.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Van de Beek inside the England box as the ball drops for the midfielder, but he fires over the crossbar! Huge let off for the Three Lions once again there.
Just under 10 minutes left of regulation time and we are level at 1-1. Neither team are settling, though, which suggests that there will be a third goal in the latter stages here.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 1-2 ENGLAND (LINGARD)
England regain the lead! It is brilliant work from Chilwell as the defender drives forward before finding Sterling, who flicks into Barkley and the midfielder's pass finds Lingard, who is able to find the bottom corner! That said, there is a check going on here for a possible offside...
... VAR check is happening!
DISALLOWED GOAL! No goal! Offside! We are still all square in Portugal.
VAR are now looking at a possible Chilwell handball!
No penalty! The ball hit Chilwell's back!
Still 1-1 as we head into the final moments of normal time - it does appear that we will need at least another 30 minutes to decide this contest. The tempo is just dropping a touch now.
SHOT! Kane fires just wide of the Netherlands post on the half-turn.
We are into the first of seven additional minutes here!
Not an awful lot happening in terms of pressure from Netherlands, who have seemingly settled for extra-time. However, England are still pressing players forward here.
SHOT! Lingard just misses the far post with a curling effort.
CHANCE! Massive, massive chance for Netherlands as Bergwijn gets the better of Maguire before finding Memphis, but the attacker misses the target with a wild attempt!
OFF THE BAR! Sterling sees his curling effort just kiss the top of the crossbar!
Not long left now. Looks to be heading for extra-time!
END OF 90 MINUTES: NETHERLANDS 1-1 ENGLAND
Nothing to separate the two teams at the end of 90 minutes - extra-time and potentially penalties will be needed to decide this semi-final. Back in a moment!
We are moments away from extra-time here. There are some tired legs out there!
KICKOFF: Netherlands resume the action here...
... NETHERLANDS SUB! Propper has replaced Bergwijn.
Not an awful lot to report in the early moments of extra-time but Netherlands are enjoying the majority of the possession. There are definitely some tired players out on the pitch.
Dumfries delivers a dangerous cross into the England box but Stones does well to make the clearance under pressure from two players. Netherlands are on the front foot here.
OFF THE LINE! Kane has to clear a header from Van Dijk off the line.
Netherlands have a free kick in a dangerous area as Stones fells De Jong...
SAVE! ... comfortable for Pickford to keep out the strike from Memphis.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 2-1 ENGLAND (PROMES)
Oh my word! Horror mistake from Stones as the centre-back loses the ball to Memphis inside the England box - Pickford keeps out the strike from the Lyon forward, but Promes wins the race against Walker to finish from close range. Potentially an own goal off Walker!
England are under lots of pressure now as Netherlands chase a third goal.
SAVE! Super save from Pickford to keep out another effort from Memphis!
Sterling breaks into the Netherlands box and goes down under pressure, but the offside flag had been raised. Better from England in the final third of the field, though.
HALF TIME IN EXTRA TIME: NETHERLANDS 2-1 ENGLAND
KICKOFF: England resume the action here...
... ENGLAND SUB! Alli has replaced Rice for England.
YELLOW CARD! Van de Beek (Netherlands) is booked for a foul on Barkley.
England are doing their best to find something extra in the final third but Netherlands are very cute in midfield and win another free kick through De Jong as the clock ticks on here.
Memphis breaks into a dangerous position before looking to pick out Wijnaldum, but the pass has too much weight. Still 2-1 Netherlands as we head for the final moments of this game.
NETHERLANDS SUB! De Jong is replaced by Strootman.
GOAL! NETHERLANDS 3-1 ENGLAND (PROMES)
Netherlands score a third and again it is a mistake from England, this time from Barkley. The Chelsea midfielder's pass is loose and falls for Memphis, who squares for Promes to convert!
England win a corner after smart work from Kane but Van Dijk is up to head clear.
Netherlands are keeping the ball and almost waiting for the final whistle. England have been unable to compete in extra-time, which is a huge disappoint for Southgate and his team.
FULL TIME: NETHERLANDS 3-1 ENGLAND
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Netherlands booking their spot in the Nations League final courtesy of a 3-1 win over England. Holland will take on Portugal in the final, while England face Switzerland in the third-placed playoff. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
