OLLIE WATKINS incredibly predicted his dramatic winner against Netherlands that has sent England marching into the Euro 2024 final.
The Aston Villa striker, 28, lashed home a stunning stoppage-time goal to hand Gareth Southgate’s men a 2-1 victory in Dortmund.
But the crucial moment came as no surprise to Watkins – who claims he told fellow late substitute Cole Palmer they were going to be involved in a goal.
Watkins, who lashed home Palmer’s pass, said: “I swear on my life, my kid’s life, I said to Cole Palmer: we’re coming on today and you’re gonna set me up.”
The former Exeter and Brentford man had played just 20 minutes at the Euros before he came off the bench against the Dutch.
But his 81st-minute cameo proved to be decisive as his surreal winner sent England fans wild.
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Speaking in his post-match press conference, Watkins said: “Lost for words really.
“When you score there are emotions that come through your body but this is just a different feeling. It was in slow motion when I ran to celebrate with the boys.
“I didn’t want to get off the pitch at the end, I wanted to soak it all in as it doesn’t happen often.”
He went on to add: “The ball came into me, hold up is not the strongest side of my game but the goal was my bread and butter.
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“I said to Cole Palmer we were both going to go on the pitch and he would set me up and it happened.
“You don’t get that opportunity very often and I had to be greedy and take the shot. I don’t think I have hit the ball so sweet like that before.”
It was Watkins’ fourth goal in 14 England caps and adds to an incredible season.
He scored 27 goals and assisted 13 in 53 appearances for Villa, inspiring them to Champions League qualification.
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
