Netherlands takes a 1-0 lead over England via this rocket shot from Xavi Simons. A screamer of a shot as he’s sliding or almost falling down. Moreover, almost no spin on the ball as Simon just rips through the ball.
It is clear Simons came to play in the game today. The goal comes at just the 7th minute.
Furthermore, this is Simon’s first goal of the tournament. And quite a shot as it screams past the outstretched arms of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. All Pickford could do was get a few fingers on the soccer ball.
Watch the Xavi Simons rocket shot in the Euro semi-final from nearly 30 yards outside the goal box.
MY GOODNESS XAVI SIMONS 😱🇳🇱
Netherlands takes a 1-0 lead over England 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1FW2Qr4zmv
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
As Landon Donovan said on the broadcast during the game, Simons has been underrated the whole Euro tournament. Another youngster doing incredible things in the 2024 Euro tournament. Like Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams of Spain. And Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, and Cole Palmer on the English side, who are all under 22 years old.
It is not just the incredible sliding on the ground shot by Simons, but how he wins the ball himself on the tackle off of Declan Rice – someone much bigger than Simons. He does it all himself on this play, from the tackle to rocket shot. Just an impressive effort from the 21 one year old Dutch player.
Of course, Xavi Simons spent years as a youth player playing with Barcelona. Simons is now a Paris St. Germain player who’s out on loan to German club RB Leipzig. He seems to have found a comfortable place to play in Germany.
Prior to joining PSG, Simons played 34 games and scored 19 goals for Dutch club PSV.
During Simons time at Barcelona’s La Masia, he was looked at as a soccer prodigy.
Simons played in 32 matches thus far for RB Leipzig. But after his successful 2024 Euro tournament, PSG will likely recall him back from his loan spell. He’s too good. Too tenacious.
