Ex-Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart launches sweary rant at England on live TV

Rafael van der Vaart didn't mince his words following England's triumphant semi-final win over the Netherlands that propelled them into the Euro 2024 final.

The former Tottenham player bluntly dismissed Gareth Southgate's squad as a "s*** team", despite their come-from-behind victory. Speaking on Dutch outlet NOS, Van der Vaart didn't heap much praise on the victorious side.

Regarding England's performance, he stated: "What a s*** team they are. Slowly, they didn't want to do anything anymore. They have such top players on the field. We didn't do much either. We had a few chances. There could have been so much more in it."

Fellow pundit and former Dutch international Pierre van Hooijdonk's frustration was directed chiefly towards referee Felix Zwayer. He blamed the referee's controversial first-half penalty decision for turning the tide in England's favour after VAR involvement suggested Denzel Dumfries fouled Harry Kane, reports the Mirror.

According to Van Hooijdonk: "They (England) can thank Felix Zwayer. He really needs to be blacklisted. Terrible. Also in the second half. A duel with Cody Gakpo where he simply blew his whistle again, ten meters from the linesman. Those are moments that were crucial in this match."

England's knack for comebacks in their knockout games has been notable, with Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands all initially finding a way past the Three Lions' defence. Dutch manager Ronald Koeman acknowledged this resilience and suggested England could pose a real threat to Spain in Sunday's final.

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Koeman remarked: "I think England showed great football in the first half after [being] 1-0 down. It is football. Maybe if you watch all of the matches of the Spanish team, maybe they are playing more offensive, great wingers and ball possession and you need to stop that. But England are in the final and have the possibility to win it."

"Spain are playing on a high level but England can stop them. Why not?".