Ollie Watkins and the goal of a lifetime at EURO 2024

Ollie Watkins scored the winner in stoppage time after coming off the bench to send England into the EURO 2024 final. The Aston Villa striker received the ball from Cole Palmer, then turned and fired a low shot past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Watkins' 90+1 minute strike sent the Three Lions to Berlin to face Spain, who had eliminated France. And the Aston Villa striker never dreamed of it.

"To be honest, I didn't dream about it, I can't lie. Scoring for England was fantastic, but I never thought I'd do it in a major tournament," Watkins said after receiving the Man of the Match award.

Ollie Watkins celebrates with his teammates after the match. Photo: English Football Association

As the 28-year-old walked into a press conference at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion, a reporter said Watkins' life would never be the same again. It was an exaggeration, perhaps, but there was some truth to the remark.

Some will point out that Watkins' goal would have been worthless had England not beaten Spain in the final. But a decisive goal in a crucial moment can change a player's career. No Three Lions fan will forget the instantaneous euphoria and joy that the 28-year-old's goal brought.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became a Manchester United legend when he scored the winning goal in injury time in the 1999 Champions League final. Meanwhile, David Platt was just a promising player for England when he scored the last-minute winner against Belgium at the 1990 World Cup. That goal catapulted Platt to stardom and his career into a new phase.

So what does that goal against the Netherlands mean for Watkins? That’s a matter for the future, but the big question now is whether Watkins will be fit to start in place of Harry Kane against Spain.

It’s an unlikely scenario, but Watkins would bring pace and pressure that Kane lacks. Watkins has been a star in the Premier League but when Southgate brought him on in the 81st minute it was only the striker’s second appearance at the tournament, the first being as a substitute against Denmark in the group stage.

Southgate was the happiest person to witness Watkins' goal. Photo: English Football Association

And while Watkins enjoyed the moment of scoring, he also made it clear that he was not just in Germany to help boost the squad.

"It's frustrating because I don't like being on the bench. I've had the best season of my career, but my friends told me to be patient and I'll get my chance. But when I'm on the bench I say I can make a difference and now I've taken my chance and scored.

"I swear on my life, I swear on the lives of my children, I said to Cole Palmer, we're going to go in, you're going to assist and I'm going to score this game. And that's why I'm so happy," the 28-year-old added.

It was a sweet ending and Watkins would do well to have another moment like that in his career...

Source: https://laodong.vn/bong-da-quoc-te/ollie-watkins-va-ban-thang-de-doi-tai-euro-2024-1364551.ldo