Watkins’ Late Winner Secures England’s Final Spot
Ollie Watkins’ brilliant last-gasp winner earned England a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and a place in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final. The Netherlands took an early lead thanks to Xavi Simons’ long-range rocket, but England hit back almost immediately as captain Harry Kane levelled the scores from the penalty spot. Chances were few and far between in the second half and it took until the first minute of added time for England to find the winner, with substitute Watkins stunning the Dutch.
Spain Awaits England in the Final
It’s the first time in history that England has reached a major final on foreign soil and the team – as well as manager Gareth Southgate – now has the chance to atone for that heart-breaking defeat in the final to Italy three years ago. Awaiting England in Sunday’s final is the formidable foe of Spain, which has been unequivocally the best team of Euro 2024 so far.
Watkins’ Memorable Moment
Match-winner Watkins said he has been “waiting for weeks” for that moment, with his goal set up by Cole Palmer, who was another English substitute. “I swear on my life, my kid’s life, I said to Cole Palmer: ‘We’re coming on today and you’re going to set me up.’ That’s why I was so happy with Coley. I knew as soon as he got the ball, he was going to play me. When I saw it go in the bottom corner, it was the best feeling ever.”
England’s Journey to the Final
England, like many of the so-called bigger nations, has struggled to find any sort of form at Euro 2024. Despite a vast array of talented attacking players – some among the best in the world – for many England fans watching Gareth Southgate’s side has frequently made for tough viewing. England reached the semifinal thanks to moments of individual brilliance, first Jude Bellingham and then Bukayo Saka bailing the Three Lions out in their two previous knockout games at the tournament.
The Netherlands’ Challenge
The Netherlands has similarly struggled in Germany and only reached the knockout stages as one of the four best third-placed teams, while they needed to come from behind to beat Turkey in the quarterfinals. Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead. Simons – named after Barcelona great Xavi Hernández – dispossessed Declan Rice in midfield and stormed towards the England penalty area, before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Jordan Pickford and into the top corner.
England’s Equalizer
Now England had no choice but to attack – something that hasn’t come easy for Southgate’s side in Germany – and found the equalizer just 10 minutes later. After Kane’s acrobatic effort flew over the crossbar, replays showed Denzel Dumfries’ studs caught Kane on the top of his foot and, after an intervention from VAR, referee Felix Zwayer pointed to the spot. Kane, who missed a crucial penalty for England against France in the quarterfinals of the Qatar World Cup in 2022, confidently drilled his penalty low into the bottom corner.
A Riveting First Half
England was no doubt the dominant team in a riveting first half, which raised the question: Where has this kind of performance been all tournament? Passes were being drilled into feet with purpose, runs were incisive, and players were looking to shoot at every opportunity. England fans will have gone into half-time feeling optimistic about their team’s chances in the second half.
Watkins’ Heroic Finish
Fortunately for England, the Netherlands were also not posing much of a threat and neither goalkeeper had very much to do – until Watkins broke Dutch hearts. The Aston Villa striker received the pass from Palmer with his back to goal and Stefan de Vrij in close attendance, but created just enough space to drill a brilliant effort across goal and into the bottom corner. England has known little more than disappointment and heartbreak since winning the World Cup in 1966, Southgate more than most. Now the team has another chance to end 58 years of hurt.(jilibet)