Watkins’ last goal takes England into the final of Euro 2024

Dortmund, Germany: Substitute Ollie Watkins scored the winning goal in injury time to send England into their second consecutive European Championship final on Wednesday. On a memorable night in Dortmund, England finally beat their national team, defeating the Netherlands 2-1.

When it looked like the game would go into extra time, Watkins received a pass from substitute Cole Palmer and fired a superb shot into the far corner. Xavi Simons had brilliantly put the Dutch ahead after seven minutes, but England equalised 11 minutes later with a Harry Kane penalty. Chances came and went in an action-packed first half, but things settled down in the second half before a dramatic final spurt that puts England through to face Spain in Berlin on Sunday.

“History made – unbelievable achievement,” Kane said as England reached their first major final on foreign soil. “What we did away from home is really special. “We talk about being ready – you might get five minutes, one minute, but you can make a difference, you can win a tournament and Ollie waited, he was patient and what he did out there was outstanding.” It was a goal to savour for Watkins, who played just 30 minutes in two games in Germany. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for weeks, I’m delighted,” he said. “I swear on my life I told Cole Palmer he’s going to give me a pass today and I’m going to score. This is the best feeling ever.”

After England’s mediocre route to the semi-finals, they looked a different team on Wednesday, despite falling behind to Simons’ smash into the top corner. England equalised when Kane’s shot was caught by Denzel Dumfries’ studs, resulting in a VAR-reviewed penalty which the captain fired into the bottom corner. They came desperately close to a second goal when Phil Foden brilliantly beat a series of tackles but his shot was cleared off the line by Dumfries.

The Dutch centre-back then slammed a header against the bar, after which England responded with a fantastic curling shot from Foden that hit the post. England’s fans, bored to death for the last three games, could hardly believe what they were seeing and responded by winning the chant war, despite being vastly outnumbered by the orange-shirted masses.

Foden, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka played with the elegance they have shown for their clubs all season, while the incredible 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo commanded the midfield like a veteran. It was a transformation begging to be believed, as the team that barely managed a shot against Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland crossed high and low, attempted through balls and even a few backheels in the box, while forcing Bart Verbruggen into three spectacular saves.

The Dutch brought on striker Wout Weghorst for the second half, while England brought on Luke Shaw. But England seemed to lose their energy and played deeper and more cautiously. This was worrying for fans who had noticed the same pattern in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the Euro 2020 final against Italy, but this time manager Gareth Southgate intervened drastically, substituting Foden and Kane and bringing on Watkins and Palmer after 80 minutes.

Palmer, who has looked dangerous in every game he has played in the tournament, played his trademark pass into the path of Watkins, sparking chaos as England came from behind to win their third game in a row.

“It’s another milestone in our performance throughout the game,” said Southgate. It was a bitter blow for the Dutch, who have now lost four semi-finals since winning the title in 1988 and had hoped to reach the final despite finishing third in their group.

“I think our team was a bit fresher than England in the last 20-25 minutes, but they scored a great goal and that’s how football is sometimes,” said coach Ronald Koeman. “I wouldn’t say it was bad luck because it was a great goal and we can be really proud of our national team. We played a great tournament.”