Euro 2024: Ollie Watkins hailed for delivering ‘unbelievable moment’ for England, revels in ‘best feeling ever’
Updated 11/07/2024 at 09:03 GMT+1
Ollie Watkins' forward play and attitude has been praised after the Aston Villa striker came off the bench to score the winner for England and send his side into the final of Euro 2024. Having replaced Harry Kane in the 81st-minute, Watkins proceeded to deliver "an unbelievable moment" to see off the Netherlands, which he admits is the "best feeling ever".
Winning Euro 2024 final will be about who gets it right mentally, says Kane
Video credit: SNTV
Ollie Watkins has been praised as being England's difference-maker after coming off the bench to deliver an "unbelievable moment" and help seal The Three Lions' place in the Euro 2024 final.
The striker has sat on the bench for the majority of England's time in Germany but proved his worth with a last-minute winner to see off the Netherlands, just minutes after replacing captain Harry Kane in Dortmund.
Watkins immediately provided energy and vigour to England's attack, pouncing on a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer before turning and slotting the ball across Bart Verbruggen.
In their analysis on ITV, former England internationals Gary Neville and Ian Wright were quick to praise Gareth Southgate's decision-making and Watkins' impact.
"Ollie Watkins' game is about stretching and getting beyond defenders," Wright said.
"He is in between players. His movement has purpose. It's in his mind to get ready. This is what Ollie Watkins does. This is the exact attitude I would want to have.
"You want Cole Palmer to come on and hit a pass that is perfect. In the moment, get back to the basics. It was absolutely perfect.
"Nobody did that to those defenders all night. They had an easy ride until he came on."
He continued: "Someone that is finally in the position to stretch a team, get half a chance, get a half a yard, take the shot. I don’t know what to say, it’s just an unbelievable moment."
Neville added: "We questioned whether Gareth would make the substitutions, get Harry Kane off in big moments, and he’s gone and done it, and it’s paid off for him big style. It's absolutely amazing."
Former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder Roy Keane said the quality of the goal "deserved to win any game".
"We sometimes think it’s luck when the ball goes through the player’s legs but there is a knack to it.
"How many times has he done that for Aston Villa? He’s got that in his locker. That sharp finish, the first touch sets him up to swivel and hit it, brilliant."
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Watkins 'grateful for the opportunity'
It was only the second time in the tournament that Watkins had appeared from the bench, having not kicked a ball since being brought on for the final 20 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
While the Aston Villa forward - who scored 19 Premier League goals last term - admits he has been "frustrated" with his lack of game time, he kept faith in playing a big part in England's success.
"I've been waiting for that moment for weeks. It's taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. Grateful that I got the opportunity and I grabbed the opportunity with both hands," he told ITV.
"I swear on my kid's life, I said to Cole Palmer, we're coming on today, and you're going to set me up! That's why I was so happy with Coley. I knew as soon as he got the ball he was going to play me, and you've got to be greedy. Touch and finish and when I've seen it go in the bottom corner, it's the best feeling ever.
"There's been a lot of criticism, but at the end of the day, we're in the final and that's all that matters. Forget all the outside noise. We're in the final."
In his press conference, Watkins added: "I never thought I’d be playing in the Euros for England. You can dream but I am a realist, I just take it day by day and one step at a time. I was just focused on getting back into the first team at Exeter.
"I have put a lot of work to get to this point, not just this season. I will enjoy every moment.
"Recently I have obviously got a bit frustrated. I don’t like to be on the bench, I have had the best season of my career. A few friends messaged me and said be patient and the amount of people who messaged me tonight saying I would score when I come on was ridiculous.
"Hopefully they can do the same for the final or give me the lottery numbers."
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