Netherlands 3-1 England: Twitter Reacts as Howlers Cost Three Lions Place in Nations League Final

England and the Netherlands played out an entertaining game in the UEFA Nations League semi final on Thursday, with mistakes, skill and VAR all playing their part, until John Stones and Ross Barkley's defensive disasters stole the show!

A penalty from Marcus Rashford had handed Gareth Southgate's side the lead in the first half after a poor challenge from Matthijs de Ligt, before the defender rallied to bring his team back level in the second period with a powerful header.

Naturally, this meant his transfer value was as volatile as cryptocurrency, it seemed.

But De Ligt's equaliser was quickly followed by some DeLigtful/liquid/total football from the Three Lions, ending in one of the great team goals in English football history, some have speculated. 

The only catch? It didn't count, with VAR ruling it out because Jesse Lingard's left shoelace was supposedly offside.

This meant that extra time beckoned, which itself beckoned some, let's say, less than savoury memories for England fans.

And, perhaps expectedly, this came to pass when John Stones went full John Stones, attempting a needless pirouette only to solemnly fall on his backside, with Jordan Pickford bailing him out with a first save but unable to halt the second shot, courtesy of a trailing leg from Kyle Walker.

Obviously, this complete shambles went down well...

But that wasn't all, no sir-ee. For Ross Barkley was yet to show his personal favourite magic trick, after Stones gave him a pass every amateur baller has dreamed of receiving in your own penalty box in extra time of an international semi final.

In fact, the only joke left at England's expense was, well, you know what...

Goodnight.