A 90th minute Ollie Watkins goal vs Netherlands secured an incredible 2-1 victory for England on Wednesday to send the Three Lions to the Euro final.
England manager Gareth Southgate has received tidal waves of criticism for his tactics, substitutions and decisions during this Euros. He got it absolutely spot on in the semifinal when he substituted in Watkins for Harry Kane in the 81st minute.
What happened next will go down in England history.
Ollie Watkins goal vs Netherlands
OLLIE WATKINS IN THE 90TH MINUTE FOR ENGLAND pic.twitter.com/X8ToEGShLz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
THE SUB DID THAT, ENGLAND'S HERO ✨
Ollie Watkins, take a bow pic.twitter.com/D59ofVFtdP— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
What a goal from the Aston Villa man and what a substitution from Southgate.
England’s semifinal victory against the Dutch got off to a nightmare start when Xavi Simons blasted his side into the lead with a venomous strike seven minutes into the contest.
MY GOODNESS XAVI SIMONS
Netherlands takes a 1-0 lead over England pic.twitter.com/1FW2Qr4zmv— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Jordan Pickford wasn’t keeping that one out.
England responded well after going down early as they pushed for an equalizer and were gifted a penalty kick after a controversial Denzel Dumfries challenge on Harry Kane.
PENALTY FOR ENGLAND
After review a penalty is awarded to England ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xkmkgCq9fz— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
HARRY KANE MAKES THE PENALTY
England levels the score pic.twitter.com/OnTSUA9YtG— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Dumfries would make amends for his error with a crucial goal line clearance to keep England from taking the lead.
OOOHHHH MY GOODNESS
THIS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN CLOSER FOR ENGLAND pic.twitter.com/wuZRsQC6rQ— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
WOW
England was THIS close from taking the lead pic.twitter.com/Vx9Kb3hwGK— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Both sides would then rattle the frame of the goal to end a wildly entertaining first half.
OFF THE CROSSBAR
Netherlands looking to take the lead back pic.twitter.com/Li38y9gSe6— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
FODEN OFF THE POST
England is knocking on the door for another pic.twitter.com/tuLlMIoaJN— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
The second half proved to be a chess match with both sides seeing limited opportunities. In the end it was Southgate with the checkmate on Dutch manager Ronald Koeman as the move to bring on Watkins proved glorious.
THERE IT IS!!!!
ENGLAND IS HEADED TO THE FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/W6zqTpU2h6— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Take it all in, Ollie Watkins ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gFcFa418li
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
England are going back to the Euro final after losing in it three years prior. Spain await the Three Lions as the two sides will compete for the European crown on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.