England Secures Euro 2024 Final Spot with Dramatic Winner by Ollie Watkins

England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday following a thrilling 2-1 semi-final victory over the Netherlands in Dortmund on Wednesday night.

This marks England’s second consecutive European Championship final, having gone 55 years without making any between the 1966 World Cup and Euro 2020. However, after losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley three years ago, Gareth Southgate’s side will be aiming for triumph this time.

Ollie Watkins emerged as the unexpected hero with a decisive 91st-minute winner, skillfully placing the ball into the bottom corner of the goal despite close pressure from Stefan de Vrij. This victory highlighted England’s newfound resilience under Southgate’s leadership.

The Netherlands had initially taken the lead when Xavi Simons intercepted Declan Rice in England’s half and launched a powerful shot past Jordan Pickford. England’s fortunes changed when VAR awarded them a controversial penalty after Harry Kane’s shot follow-through connected with Denzel Dumfries. Despite the contentious decision, Kane converted the penalty, scoring his record-breaking sixth goal in Euro knockout games.

Phil Foden came close to scoring with a shot that was stopped on the line by Dumfries. The Dutch right-back later hit the bar with a header from a corner, and Foden narrowly missed with a curling effort that clipped the post. In the second half, Pickford made a crucial save from Virgil van Dijk, and Bukayo Saka had a goal disallowed for offside. Just as the match seemed destined for extra time, Watkins, a late substitute for Kane, secured the win with his last-minute strike.

Spain reached the final on Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over France in the first semi-final. Sixteen-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal to help La Roja into their first final since winning Euro 2012.

Luis de la Fuente’s side has consistently been formidable throughout the tournament, making them the team to beat.

The final at Berlin’s Olympiastadion will kick off at 8 pm (BST) on Sunday, July 14.