Virgil van Dijk didn’t hold back his frustration following the Netherlands’ 2-1 loss to England in the Euro 2024 semifinals, particularly after a controversial penalty decision marred the game.
The match was filled with contentious moments, starting early on when Harry Kane was brought down in the box by Denzel Dumfries, prompting VAR to overturn the referee’s initial decision and award England a penalty.
Kane calmly converted from the spot in the 18th minute, setting the tone for a heated encounter.
Van Dijk, visibly upset with the referee’s handling of the game, reflected on the outcome, “I don’t want to say too much, but the fact that the referee rushed off right after the match says a lot. There was no time for a handshake. It’s disappointing. The game is over. We lost.”
“It’s incredibly difficult to accept. There were clear moments where things should have gone our way, but they didn’t. Regardless of the result, it’s hard to swallow. This year has been tough, and we had a big dream as a team.”
The controversial officiating triggered a fierce debate, with the Dutch team and their supporters feeling aggrieved by what they perceived as a harsh call.
Later in the game, after contesting an aerial challenge with John Stones, Van Dijk also received a yellow card.
Fans online swiftly criticized the decision, arguing that Stones had been equally physical throughout the match.
One supporter expressed frustration, “The referee in the Netherlands vs England game clearly favored the Dutch players, yet Van Dijk gets booked. It was unjust.”
Another fan echoed the sentiment, “Two players were practically holding Nathan Ake down. The ref only saw Van Dijk and gave him a yellow card. Football is becoming exhausting.”
The match’s contentious moments and Van Dijk’s reaction underscored the intensity of the semifinal clash and left lingering debates over refereeing decisions in high-stakes games.
