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

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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

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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