Dutch fans came to the stadium in a rousing march, 100,000 strong. It will feel like a long journey home.
When Ollie Watkins' added-time goal sealed a 2-1 win for England over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semifinals on Wednesday, it ended the orange-clad Dutch fans' dream of a first European Championship title since 1988.
A great goal, but then it's over, and that's difficult to accept, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.
The journey home will not be without some bitterness after a hotly disputed penalty decision in England's favor after Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries made contact with Harry Kane while trying to block a shot.
In my opinion this should not have been a penalty, Koeman said through an interpreter. "I think that we cannot play properly football and this is due to VAR. It really breaks football.
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Until the penalty call that put England firmly back in the game, it had been a party atmosphere for the Dutch fans.
The towering South Stand famed as a Yellow Wall for Borussia Dortmund games, now bright orange was alive with dancing fans, while beach balls and balloons bounced between rows of supporters.
A win for the Netherlands would have meant a final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday, a rematch of the Dutch team's last major-tournament final when it was runner-up at the 2010 World Cup.
It had been an uneven tournament for Koeman's team, which impressed in a 0-0 draw with France in the group stage, which it perhaps should have won if not for a VAR offside call against Dumfries. A 3-2 loss against Austria in the next game showed the Dutch team was vulnerable, before knockout wins over outclassed Romania and a spirited Turkey team.
In a semifinal game of fine margins, much revolved around Dumfries once again.
The right wing back gave away the penalty which allowed England to level the score, hit the crossbar with a header at the other end, and cleared Phil Foden's shot off the goal-line to stop England scoring again.
There was contact so you think he can give it," was his verdict on the penalty to Dutch broadcaster NOS. "It's annoying. I take responsibility. I didn't do it deliberately. It happens in a split second.
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