2024 Euros: Ollie Watkins late strike gets England into final

England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin on Sunday after a last-minute strike from substitute Ollie Watkins sealed victory over the Netherlands.

Gareth Southgate’s side looked to be going into extra time for the third successive game after Harry Kane’s contentious first-half penalty equalised a thunderous early strike from Xavi Simons until Watkins struck.

England dominated the first half, with Phil Foden outstanding, hitting the post with one long-range effort and drawing a fine save from Dutch keeper Bart Verbruggen.

The Netherlands, who saw Denzel Dumfries’ header hit the bar before the break, took control after the break and it required important interventions from keeper Jordan Pickford to keep England level.

England were facing another extra 30 minutes until a superb late strike on the turn from Watkins, on for Kane, sent England into their second successive European Championship final on a dramatic night in Dortmund.

England’s victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund has left Southgate and his players one game from history and ending the so-called “years of hurt” stretching back 58 years.

The campaign in Germany was been a slow-burner, but the torch was lit on a sultry, stormy night and England now have the opportunity to finish with glory against favourites Spain at the Olympiastadion.

England will contest their first final on foreign soil after the 1966 World Cup final and the Euro 2020 finals were played at Wembley.

Source: BBC