Moments like these
Picture credit: Sky News and Reuters
I review Wednesday’s Semi Final against the Netherlands. I praise Gareth Southgate, criticise myself and relive that last minute goal from Ollie Watkins.
England are through to their second straight European Championship final after more late drama in Dortmund.
The hero this time was Oliver George Arthur Watkins. He has only been used sparingly at Euro 2024, playing 20 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Denmark in the group stages.
On the 81st minute, Watkins’ patience was rewarded, coming on for a tiring Harry Kane. England needed to get up the pitch.
With 90 minutes gone, the game seemed destined for extra time.
Then, Declan Rice brought the ball out of defence and drove forward. His pass was wayward, but Kobbie Mainoo managed to get the slightest of touches on the ball that kept the attack alive.
The ball arrived at the feet of Cole Palmer. He turned and played a magnificent through ball to Watkins.
He had stretched the Dutch defence but Stefan De Vrij looked comfortable.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, Watkins turned and found half a yard of space. He fired his shot between the legs of De Vrij, across Bart Verbruggen and into the left corner of the net.
Pandemonium erupted in the stands. Watkins – with pure joy on his face – ran over to the English substitutes before being mobbed.
It was a sledgehammer blow to Ronald Koeman’s team and there was barely any time to react. England were into the final.
Gareth Southgate’s substitutions were inspired.
They didn’t come too late; they changed the game and gave his players a foothold to win this semi-final.
It proved that journalists, podcasters and armchair bloggers - like me - don’t know Southgate’s players like he does.
We were so quick to lambast and criticise that we forgot Southgate’s teams had a knack of providing so many special moments during his tenure.
But, England still had to suffer in Dortmund.
Xavi Simons 7th minute rocket put the Netherlands into the lead after dispossessing Rice.
England responded well and played their best football of the tournament. They were rewarded in the 18th minute when the referee and VAR gave England a fortuitous penalty.
Bukayo Saka was splendid again down the right, cutting in before his shot ricocheted to Kane. Kane’s shot went harmlessly over the bar.
Or so we thought.
VAR asked the referee to check whether Kane had been fouled after his shot. After a consultation with the pitch side monitor, the referee awarded a penalty.
It was a ridiculous decision.
Granted those ‘fouls’ are regularly given outside of the box in European competitions but what was Denzel Dumfries supposed to do? Kane had kicked Dumfries on his follow through. The Dutch had every right to feel aggrieved.
The England captain equalised from the spot - his third goal of the competition - to put his team in to the ascendency.
Phil Foden was at the heart of everything good for England and he was so unlucky not to score. First having a shot cleared off the line before rattling the crossbar with a long-range effort.
The Dutch fought back, and Dumfries also hit the crossbar with a brilliant header from a corner.
At half time, Ronald Koeman made changes to nullify England. They worked, and the game became a battle of attrition.
The Dutch eventually took control and had the better chances. Jordan Pickford was called into action after a Virgil Van Dijk shot from close range.
England thought they had knicked it when Saka turned in Kyle Walkers cross from the right. However, Walker had marginally strayed offside and the game remained on a knife edge.
Then, the magic happened.
Influential changes from a much-maligned coach. And Watkins of Aston Villa - via Brentford, Exeter and Weston-super-mare – wrote himself into English football folklore.
England will play Spain in Berlin in the Euro 2024 final. They will be massive underdogs against a team that has swept all before them.
But that is a Sunday problem.
For now, let’s rejoice. The dream is still alive. Moments like these are what football is all about.
