Liverpool star shades England vs Netherlands ref after epic Euro 2024 semi-final clash

Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk didn’t hold back with his assessment of referee Felix Zwayer following the Netherlands’ Euro 2024 semi-final exit against England.

Despite opening the scoring in the first half, Netherland lost in the final minute of the match with England scoring from the penalty spot in the first half before doing the final damage in the second half.

Ollie Watkins netted a dramatic winner in added time to send England through after Harry Kane equalized from the spot in the first half.

Speaking after the match, Van Dijk wasn’t pleased with the referee, commenting: “I don’t know what I should say, I don’t know if I should say something about this. I said it outside to our Dutch media, it says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and had no time to shake his hand.

Virgil van Dijk  reacts as Referee Felix Zwayer gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England  (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

“It is what it is, the game is done, it’s very tough to take. Certain moments it’s obvious that it [decisions] should’ve gone our way, it didn’t. I don’t know what to say, it’s difficult to accept this.

“It’s been a very long year, a tough year. We had a big dream and we felt like we could’ve achieved it as a team, unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”

When pressed on the rules surrounding penalty decisions, the Liverpool skipper replied: “They keep changing so many things, small changes that could have big impacts.

“Let them [the referees] come here and explain themselves, like we [the players] have to do when we do something wrong. I think that might be something.

“I shouldn’t speak about others though, but we have to look at ourselves.”

The Netherlands had served up an on-the-whole impressive Euro 2024 campaign, with few expecting them to reach the last four before a ball was kicked last month.

Germany will face Spain on Sunday, with England eyeing up a maiden Euros win in the German capital.