Ollie Watkins’ winner towards the Netherlands tells the story of England and Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 | Soccer Information | Sky Sports activities

89:59. With only a second to spare, Ollie Watkins wrote his title into England’s soccer historical past.

Print that point stamp on a t-shirt. The most recent late winner from England at these Euros. The most recent ever winner at a Euros in regular time.

It was a super-sub second which had his team-mates heaping reward on the likeable Aston Villa ace and onlookers recounting his remarkable rise from Weston-super-Mare and now on to Berlin.

However Watkins’ objective additionally tells us so much about this England aspect as an entire: the place they have been, what they’ve develop into and the way their chief, Gareth Southgate, has advanced.

From standing by to boldly rolling the cube…

For therefore lengthy it was Southgate’s greatest weak point. A first-rate goal for his critics. The picture of him stood on the touchline, declining or reluctant or uncertain of intervene felt like it might develop into a damning reflection of his in-game administration of the nationwide workforce.

There have been examples of that hesitancy in Germany. His determination to sub on Anthony Gordon within the 89th minute of the bore draw with Slovenia. His determination to attend till 90+4 to show to Ivan Toney, when England have been trailing Slovakia within the final 16.

However Southgate’s calls have been vindicated in these knockout phases. Repeatedly, England have discovered a technique to recover from the road. And with that success Southgate has develop into bolder and extra assured together with his interventions.

Hooking Harry Kane and Phil Foden, England’s greatest participant on the evening, towards the Netherlands was decisive, with their replacements Watkins and Cole Palmer combining for the winner.

Kane is now not untouchable

A trait of England’s failures up to now was managers would unflinchingly stand by their star names. The untouchables. Kane as soon as held that standing, too. However on Wednesday evening, for the primary time in his profession, he was taken off in regular time with England needing a objective in a knockout recreation.

• Euro 2024 schedule: Spain await in the final
• Download the Sky Sports App | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp

His health is in query. His type is not razor sharp. However whereas his penalty objective – which made him the highest scorer in Euros knockout video games – underlined he’s nonetheless an enormous determine for this aspect (and he will definitely begin the ultimate), he’s now not assured to play till the ultimate whistle.

Watkins and Toney’s double menace

Watkins or Toney? Which one would you quite have in your squad? The reply, in fact, is each. And with the expanded squad sizes for this Euros Southgate was in a position to give himself the luxurious of with the ability to substitute Kane with both goal man and penalty king Toney or the nippy runner-in-behind Watkins. They’ve each performed essential roles in Germany.

England’s energy in depth

And maybe England’s biggest energy is the quantity of choices they’ve on the bench. Substitutes? ‘Finishers’ appears extra applicable. That was the time period utilized by former England rugby union boss Eddie Jones and Southgate favored it.

Watkins and Palmer right here, earlier than Conor Gallagher – the frantic one-man urgent machine in extra-time towards Slovakia – and Ezri Konsa have been despatched on to see it by way of. Ebe Eze for a spark. Jarrod Bowen and Gordon out large. Trent Alexander-Arnold to take a penalty towards Switzerland.

An enormous win for Southgate is how he has stored your complete group engaged and linked over the previous month. The vast majority of the 26 have performed a component.

One other late objective reveals workforce’s mentality

Bellingham’s bicycle kick. Saka’s stunner. And now Watkins’ great winner. England have repeatedly grasped glory within the closing moments. It is a workforce which has seemed out on its ft, drained on the finish of an extended season. However their character and mentality has helped them squeeze by way of. Decided defence. One final push in assault. Now they should go once more another time…

One other objective down proper aspect – even with Shaw the workforce nonetheless has limitations

Kane’s extra-time header towards Slovakia got here from a central shot from Eze nodded throughout objective by Toney. Aside from that, each open play objective scored by England on the Euros has come down the fitting aspect. Watkins’ winner adopted that sample.

Even with left-footer Luke Shaw changing Kieran Trippier at half time right here, England struggled to provide the identical menace down the left flank. It leaves them unbalanced and predictable of their attacking play. Spain will know what’s coming.

However they’ve momentum and perception going into the ultimate…

Watkins led the celebrations after the match. Pushed ahead by his team-mates to conduct the gang as they sung their music about going to Berlin. England head to the capital with momentum and perception after his late stunner. Will that be sufficient to cease a more-fancied Spain?

Watkins has confirmed that is an England workforce which ought to by no means be written off. Even with one second to go…