Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is the most loved man in England after his last-gasp winner in the 2024 Euros against the Dutch, with the goal breaking numerous records.
The Villa Park faithful had been calling on Gareth Southgate to unleash the Villans man all tournament.
Watkins had only made one appearance in the Euros before the semi-final – a brief cameo in the draw to Denmark. This was despite captain Harry Kane being consistently toothless in the tournament.
Every Villa fan knew what Watkins was capable of after his fantastic 2023/24 Premier League campaign under Unai Emery.
With the scoreline level against the Dutch, the striker was finally given his chance to make history, which he took with just minutes to go to send England to back-to-back Euros finals.
Ollie Watkins makes England history with semi-final winner
After netting the winner so late in the game, the striker has broken multiple records. Netting at 89.59, Watkins’ goal was the latest winner semi-final winner in Euros or World Cup history.
Now, it has become clear that the striker has broken an additional record thanks to one England teammate.
Alongside Watkins, Chelsea star Cole Palmer was also brought onto the field for Phil Foden.
Here, the midfielder also had a massive impact, as he played in the Villa man which resulted in the goal.
With the two combining for the winner, they became the first-ever England substitutes to combine for a goal in the knockout stage of a major tournament.
Ollie Watkins must start in the Euro 2024 final against Spain
On Sunday, Watkins alongside the rest of the England squad face another opportunity to make history. The Euro 2024 final will be the biggest and toughest game many of the players will face in their careers with a chance to finally end England’s trophyless run.
However, for the final, Southgate must make a bold decision. Kane has offered little throughout the tournament, often coming to deep and has only netted once from open play.
With Watkins clearly firing on all cylinders, Southgate must drop the England captain for the Villa man on Sunday.
In his brief cameos of the bench, Watkins has offered more than Kane, and if England want to finally win the Euros, sacrifices must be made.
