Sarina Wiegman admits Ollie Watkins' dramatic winner to send England through to Euro 2024 final at expense of the Netherlands 'hurt' as Dutch coach offers advice to Gareth Southgate

The Lionesses' Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman has admitted her 'orange heart hurt' after England defeated the Netherlands to reach the final of Euro 2024 but urged Gareth Southgate's side to bring home the trophy.

Wiegman has become an honorary Englishwoman since leading the Lionesses to a historic victory at Euro 2022 before reaching last year's World Cup final, where they were beaten by Spain.

But her loyalties were split when she sat down to watch Wednesday's game with her players, who are preparing for two important Euro 2025 qualifiers.

Asked how she felt when Ollie Watkins' last minute winner hit the net, Wiegman joked: 'You want a political answer?

'To be really honest of course I wish the very best for Gareth and his team but it did hurt a little bit, my orange heart hurt!

'We all know that football worldwide is the biggest sport. In England it's on a different level since I came in and worked here. It's so deep in society and the people support so much and it's incredible of course.

'I never, ever take it for granted. I think the whole country should be very proud of what, at this moment, the England men do.

'It's not easy, that's what we've seen too. It's good to be English at the moment.'

Wiegman herself has reached four finals as a manager - two with England and two with the Netherlands, but said her only advice for Southgate and his team is to bring home the trophy.

'They know exactly what they have to do. It is their second [Euros] final, which is incredible.

'They know exactly what they want to do and how they want to do it. I just wish them all the best and in England you would say, 'Let's bring it home!'

The Lionesses face the Republic of Ireland in Norwich on Friday before their deciding qualifier with Sweden next week. They must finish in the top two places in their group to avoid dropping into the play-offs but currently sit in third place, with France in top spot and Sweden above them on goal difference.

'It's another important game in our journey to qualify in this period for the Euros,' Wiegman said ahead of Friday's game.

'We want to improve our game too. All of the teams in this competition have been really challenging. We expect them to be really tough again tomorrow. Of course, we approach every game to win so that won't be any different. We want to play well too and control the game a little more than we did the last time we played against them. That's the thing we want to take with us tomorrow.'