ENGLAND fans have spotted Bukayo Saka brilliantly booting a ball away while celebrating Ollie Watkins’ dramatic 90th-minute winner against Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate’s men booked their place in Sunday’s final against Spain as a last-gasp Watkins strike clinched a 2-1 win in Dortmund.
The late goal sparked scenes of jubilation among the England players and fans as a number of the substitutes stormed onto the pitch to join in the celebrations.
But eagle-eyed supporters have identified what Arsenal man Saka did as he sprinted around the field.
As Watkins ran towards the bench to meet several of his team-mates, Saka followed in hot pursuit.
But he ended up nearer the touchline than the rest of the England squad, before he proceeded to smash a ball that had bounced onto the pitch.
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And fans were loving the burst of passion from the forward – who left Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsdale hanging as the keeper waited to hug him.
One social media user said: “We’ve got our game back, no rehearsed celebration, Saka walloping it as hard as he can into the stands, knee slides, all just unreal… 😍”
While another added: “Ramsdale waiting to hug Saka, but Saka just wallops the ball into the stands, HAVE IT! 🤣🤣.”
A third replied: “I did see someone at the station last night with a ball I wonder if it’s the same one.”
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And a fourth responded: “Look what Saka did.”
Saka thought he had scored the winner 10 minutes earlier when he buried Kyle Walker’s cutback.
But his celebrations were short-lived as it was ruled out for Walker straying offside.
Saka has enjoyed a superb tournament for England and was his country’s talisman in the quarter-final against Switzerland.
He scored in normal time and dispatched his penalty with aplomb as Southgate’s side marched into the last four.
And he was a constant threat against Netherlands on Wednesday night, a run of form England fans will be hoping he can continue against Spain in Berlin this weekend.
England ratings vs Holland
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins’ last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
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Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
