Ollie Watkins the unlikely toast of England after last-gasp winner at Euro 2024

England’s Ollie Watkins celebrates on the finish of a semifinal in opposition to the Netherlands on the Euro 2024 soccer event in Dortmund, Germany, Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
| Picture Credit score: AP

Ollie Watkins is, in his personal phrases, a realist.

He has by no means pictured himself taking part in at a serious event for England — particularly when, as a teen studying his commerce as a striker, he was despatched on mortgage to English sixth-tier membership Weston-super-Mare in 2015.

So think about what went via Watkins’ thoughts when he noticed his stoppage-time shot fly previous Netherlands goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and into the underside nook to earn England a spot within the European Championship closing?

“I don’t assume I’ve hit a ball that candy earlier than,” Watkins mentioned after England’s 2-1 victory over the Dutch within the semifinals on July 10.

Abruptly, Watkins is the toast of England, an inconceivable turnaround in fortunes for a striker who had performed 24 minutes at Euro 2024 — instead within the group stage in opposition to Denmark — earlier than changing captain Harry Kane within the eightieth minute for the largest second of his profession.

Being an understudy for Kane, England’s all-time main scorer with 66 targets, is a troublesome enterprise. Minutes are scarce — Kane sometimes performs the total recreation — so each alternative needs to be grasped.

Watkins did simply that with a purpose that followers of the Premier League have seen again and again in his video games taking part in for Aston Villa.

Darting behind the Dutch protection in a way that’s past Kane lately, Watkins managed a cross from Cole Palmer together with his again to purpose then, in a single motion, swiveled and fired a low shot via the legs of Netherlands defender Stefan De Vrij and previous Verbruggen from a slender angle.

“That’s my bread and butter — operating in behind, inflicting hassle,” Watkins mentioned.

If that sounds fairly primary, then that’s the sort of striker Watkins is.

Arduous-working.

Selfless.

Just about the last word group participant.

“I’ve put in a variety of onerous work to get thus far,” mentioned Watkins, who was tied because the fourth high scorer within the Premier League this season with 19 targets. “It’s not simply this season, it’s cumulative.

“I’ve finished a variety of onerous work and I’m going to take pleasure in each second.”

That was evident as Watkins was engulfed by joyous teammates on the sphere at Westfalenstadion after his purpose, his fourth for England. Two of them got here in opposition to San Marino, the world’s lowest-ranked group.

“It was sluggish movement once I was operating to the boys and celebrating… I didn’t need to go away the pitch,” he mentioned.

“I’ve had a number of messages from my associates saying, ‘Be affected person, you’re going to get a possibility.’ Once I’ve been on the bench, I’ve positively mentioned to (backup goalkeeper) Dean Henderson, ‘I could make a distinction at present, I have to get on that pitch.’ Clearly I’ve taken my likelihood once I’ve bought it and I’ve scored and now we’re within the closing.”

Southgate smiled as he mentioned Watkins had “saved us one other half hour” of additional time, which England wanted to get previous Slovakia and Switzerland beforehand within the knockout stage.

“Very, very particular for him,” Southgate mentioned.