The Substitute Hero - Scored Against England in the European Championship Final

Substituted in the 81st minute. Scored a goal ten minutes later. England's Ollie Watkins replaced Harry Kane and became a major match hero against the Netherlands. After 2–1, the European Championship final against Spain now awaits. The best feeling ever, says Watkins.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 10 2024

The Substitute Hero - Scored Against England in the European Championship Final
Photo: Andreea Alexandru/AP/TT

Substituted in the 81st minute. Scored ten minutes later.

England's Ollie Watkins replaced Harry Kane and became a big match hero against the Netherlands.

After 2–1, they now await the European Championship final against Spain.

The best feeling ever, says Watkins.

The 28-year-old Watkins, who normally plays for Aston Villa, had received limited playing time in the European Championship. But when it mattered most, he got the chance and delivered the most important goal of his life.

I swear on my children's lives... But I told Cole Palmer that we would be substituted in today and that he would play me in, says Watkins in SVT.

Said and done.

I knew he would play me in when he got the ball – and then it's just a matter of quickly receiving and finishing. When I saw the ball go into the far corner – it's the best feeling ever.

Dutch dream start

English euphoria. But the match began best for the Netherlands. Already in the seventh minute, the 21-year-old talent Xavi Simons thundered in a shot that meant 1–0 at Westfalenstadion in Dortmund.

England's response came about ten minutes later. Harry Kane fired a shot and was hit by Denzel Dumfries' foot in the process. After a long video review, the referee finally awarded a penalty – which Kane himself clinically placed in to make it 1–1.

Thereafter, there were plenty of chances with two players in the leading roles: England's Phil Foden and the Netherlands' Denzel Dumfries.

Foden got an excellent opportunity, but Dumfries saved on the goal line, and the Netherlands escaped with the narrowest of margins. The same Dumfries was then close to becoming a goalscorer. The Inter defender reached the highest on a corner and hit the crossbar.

And then it was Foden's turn again. Last season's player of the year in the Premier League hit the post with a shot from outside.

"A fantastic achievement"

1–1 at halftime – and in the second half, it looked like Bukayo Saka would become the English matchwinner. The Arsenal star pushed in a cross, but the referee disallowed the goal for offside in an earlier phase.

In the 91st minute, the decisive moment came. A substitute, Cole Palmer, played in another substitute, Ollie Watkins, who received and placed in 2–1.

A goal that secured a spot in the European Championship final against Spain in Berlin on Sunday.

A fantastic achievement! I'm so proud of everyone, the players and the coaching staff. It's been a tough tournament. What we've done here is very special. But there's one match left, and we need to fix it on Sunday, says Harry Kane in SVT.

2004: Greece

2008: Spain

2012: Spain

2016: Portugal

2021: Italy

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

More news

Hammarby Dominates Derby, Tops Women's
1 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Derby, Tops Women's League Table

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes
2 MIN READ

Lyon Edges Arsenal 2-1, Eyes 12th Champions League Final

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Tuva Skoog Shines with Two Goals in Malmö FF's 4-1 Victory Over AIK

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice
1 MIN READ

Sweden Takes Sixth in Ice Hockey World Championship After Close Loss

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels
1 MIN READ

Marcus Kinhult's Birdie Blitz Propels Him Up 39 Spots in Shanghai

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out
1 MIN READ

AIK's Christoffer Björk Likely Out for Season After Knee Injury

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach
1 MIN READ

Andreas Johansson Named Head Coach of Södertälje Sports Club

Robots Struggle in First Human
1 MIN READ

Robots Struggle in First Human vs. Machine Half-Marathon in Beijing

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's
2 MIN READ

Casper Ruud Applauds Victor Hedman's Leadership in Tampa Bay

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with
1 MIN READ

Miami Secures Playoff Spot with Overtime Win Over Atlanta

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best
2 MIN READ

Ingrid Lindblad Shines with Career-Best Round at LPGA in Los Angeles

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's
1 MIN READ

Gyökeres Hat-Trick Secures Sporting Lisbon's Lead Over Moreirense

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve
2 MIN READ

Elias Pettersson Urged to Improve Training by Canucks Coach Tocchet

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits
1 MIN READ

Swedish Beach Volleyball Duo Exits World Championship in Brazil

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Grewe Criticizes AIK Forward for Alleged Spearing Incident

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending
2 MIN READ

Mjällby Defeats Hammarby 3-1, Ending Winning Streak

Malmö FF Held to Draw
2 MIN READ

Malmö FF Held to Draw by Sirius: "Supporters Deserve Better"

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels
1 MIN READ

Teen Talent Olivia Ulenius Propels Djurgården to League Summit

Lin Shidong Defeats Möregårdh in
1 MIN READ

Lin Shidong Defeats Möregårdh in Thrilling World Cup Quarterfinals

Brynäs Eyes Historic Triumph in
3 MIN READ

Brynäs Eyes Historic Triumph in National Championship Finals

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite
1 MIN READ

Djurgården Triumphs to Semifinals Despite Key Injuries

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge
3 MIN READ

Chelsea Eyes Champions League Revenge Against Barcelona

Rangers End Season with 4-0
1 MIN READ

Rangers End Season with 4-0 Victory Over Lightning

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with
2 MIN READ

Calle Halfvarsson Parts Ways with National Ski Team After 14 Years

Sagström Tied for Fourth After
1 MIN READ

Sagström Tied for Fourth After Hole-in-One at LPGA Los Angeles

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship
3 MIN READ

Ellen Wangerheim Eyes European Championship After Stellar Season Start

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South
2 MIN READ

Ludvig Åberg Struggles in South Carolina After US Masters Challenge

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against
2 MIN READ

Djurgården Secures Semifinal Spot Against Chelsea in Conference League

Filip Forsberg Set for Home
1 MIN READ

Filip Forsberg Set for Home World Championship with Sweden

Tottenham Advances to Europa League
1 MIN READ

Tottenham Advances to Europa League Semifinals with Win Over Frankfurt

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in
2 MIN READ

Sweden Edges Finland 2-1 in World Championship Warm-Up

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives
1 MIN READ

Olympic Champion Ahmed Hafnaoui Receives 21-Month Doping Ban

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will
2 MIN READ

Scottie Scheffler Doubts Rangefinders Will Speed Up Golf Rounds

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for
2 MIN READ

Tove Alexandersson Criticizes Media for Misinterpreting Her Views

Hockeyallsvenskan Enforces Rule to Protect
3 MIN READ

Hockeyallsvenskan Enforces Rule to Protect Referees During Finals

Virgil van Dijk Signs Two-Year
1 MIN READ

Virgil van Dijk Signs Two-Year Extension with Liverpool