Watkins sends England to successive Euro finals

The Three Lions of England have made it to another European Championship finals after getting past The Netherlands in the semifinals on Wednesday at the Dortmund stadium.

England, which was losing finalists in 2021, will hope to do enough against Spain in the final after coming from behind to beat the Oranjes 2-1. However, Gareth Southgate’s side did not start well despite pushing the early pressure.

Midfielder Xavi Simons struck gold when he stole the ball off Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice before smashing a long-range effort past Pickford in goal from the edge of the box in the seventh minute.

England was fortunate to fire back soon after, but it was not without controversy as the referee pointed to the penalty spot after Harry Kane’s foot was caught mid-air by a Dutch defender.

The Bayern Munich striker stood above the penalty and was dispatched for only his second goal of the tournament, and England went into the break level.

However, the hero for England was a substitute who had only played 20 minutes of football all tournament long. The game was approaching what looked like a second consecutive extra time for the Three Lions in the knockout stages, but Southgate’s substitutes did the magic.

With just stoppage time left, two substitutes combined to snatch the win as Cole Palmer laid Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins through before he turned and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper nine minutes after replacing Harry Kane.

“I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m delighted. I swear on my life that I said to Cole Palmer that he’s going to set me up today and I’m going to score. It’s the best feeling ever.” Watkins said.

England will now face Spain on Sunday in the final of the Euros for their first-ever European title.