Ollie Watkins scored the biggest goal of his career on Wednesday night, as his 90th-minute strike sent England to the Euro 2024 final.
The Aston Villa striker only came on in the 81st-minute but, with the scores level at 1-1, it was Ollie Watkins who stepped up to score the winner against the Netherlands in Dortmund.
A goal typical of the Villa forward, Watkins‘ strike flashed past Bart Verburggen in the Netherlands goal into the far corner from an incredibly narrow angle.
After the best season of his career, registering 40 goal contributions for Villa in all competitions, Watkins is living the dream right now.
The late winner has set up a final with Spain on Sunday, with Watkins’ goal one that will live long in the memory of every England fan.
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Ollie Watkins on ‘best feeling’ after his goal sent England to Euro 2024 final
Watkins has had to be very patient this summer, with Harry Kane the starting striker and Ivan Toney the striker Gareth Southgate has turned to in the knockout stages.
Having come off the bench in the second group game against Denmark and not featured since, the 28-year-old may have felt he would not get another chance to contribute to England’s Euros campaign.
However, with nine minutes left on the clock Southgate summoned the Villa man who stepped up to prove the decision correct.
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Speaking to the official England ‘X’ account after the game, Watkins described the “best feeling” he’s ever had.
Watkins said: “Honestly, lost for words. Best feeling I’ve ever had in my life”.
The man behind the camera then said: “There were all those fans singing your name.”
To which Watkins replied: “I know…to be fair the celebrations were unbelievable. I ran over to the bench, knee-slid, emotions just took over me, but it was important that I celebrated with the boys on the bench because we’re all a team.”
Aston Villa now have three players in major international finals after Watkins heroics
Watkins’ goal has ensured he will be involved in a final in the first major tournament of his career.
That will also be the case for Villa teammate Konsa, and both players will hope to play a part in the showpiece event against Spain in Berlin.
They are not the only Villa players playing in a major international final this summer, though.
Emi Martinez has performed heroics of his own to help Argentina to the Copa America final, keeping four clean sheets in five games in the tournament.
They will be facing Colombia in the final that will be played in the early hours of Monday morning UK time and have the chance to win a third major tournament in a row having won the 2021 Copa America and 2022 World Cup.
If Martinez and co. are successful, they will be the outright record holders for Copa America wins with 16; taking them ahead of Uruguay with whom they currently share the honour.
