Has a stunning goal to Ollie Watkins with just two minutes of stoppage-time remaining in the EURO 2024 semi against the Netherlands given England all the momentum ahead of a final against the ‘best team of the tournament’, Spain?
That’s what the experts think.
A controversial penalty to captain Harry Kane and a wonder strike from his replacement Watkins with just two minutes of stoppage-time remaining was enough to get England a 2-1 win over a gallant Netherlands side.
Spain became the first time in EURO history to win all six matches and reach the final after beating an ultra-defensive France 2-1 in the semis.
La Roja have played breathtaking football throughout the whole tournament, and have managed to win across a range of scenarios; from cruisey demolitions (looking at you, Georgia) to grinding out a victory to conceding just nine minutes into a semi-final.
They’ve never looked in trouble at any point, really, with ex-Matildas Amy Harrison declaring they were easily ‘the best team in the tournament’.
It’s a narrative in stark opposition to an England side that has been mercilessly targeted in the press after mediocre draws to minnows like Slovenia and Slovakia (in normal time), and generally looking impotent in attack against weaker opposition despite a plethora of world-class talents like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.
They turned that narrative on its head in the first half with their best display of football yet, with players like Foden and Kobbie Mainoo finally breaking free of the shackles they looked to have for much of the tournament.
While the Netherlands shored things up in the second half and looked far more dangerous, it was a bit of individual magic from Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins with just two minutes of stoppage-time left that sent the Three Lions into the final.
And it’s a moment that Spanish football expert Phil Kitromilides said means England are the side going into the final with greater momentum.
“Individuals producing bits of brilliance – and this (Watkins) is another bit of brilliance – and I don’t want to say it has gotten England out of jail; but Jude Bellingham’s bicycle kick, Bukayo Saka against Switzerland and now this,” he said on Optus Sport’s post-match coverage.
“The overall performance was good, but it was a bit of individual brilliance has sent England to the final once again, where they’re going to come up against the best team: Spain.
“They (Spain) have been historically good. No team has won their first six games at a EUROs, Spain has.
“But it feels like all the momentum is with England.”
Kitromilides was with Socceroos legend Mark Schwarzer at the BVB Stadion in Dortmund covering the match for Optus Sport, and described the pandemonium in the stands after Watkins’ stunning goal.
The pair was showered in beer from joyous Three Lions fans, who were in full voice well before the match began, and continued well after the final whistle had blown.
The momentum they can help generate for the oft-criticised side may be huge ahead of the final.
“The place exploded. They are singing, and they haven’t stopped singing since the goal went in about 15-20 minutes ago. Nobody has left,” Schwarzer said.
“It’s been crazy. It was bedlam when Ollie Watkins scored.”
For their part, England players are aware of the dangers Spain’s starting XI (and bench – a sign of their incredible quality and depth), poses – but feel the way they’ve had to fight for every single result of the tournament stands them in good stead.
Real Madrid star Bellingham was looking forward to going up against players he sees regularly throughout his club season.
“(Spain) have looked amazing, they’ve looked really good but it’s a one-off game and anything can happen,” he told reporters after the match.
“We know our weapons, we’ll do the right analysis, we’ll sit down and watch them and understand how they play as well.
“A great team with weapons of their own so it will be interesting to go toe-to-toe with them.”
England skipper Kane, who once again couldn’t have his usual impact on the game save for a bright spot in the first half after his penalty, said he was determined to bring football home.
“Another unbelievable tough game. It’s going to be really difficult we know that, but we’re there, we got to the final and it’s one more game to make history,” the captain said.
“It’s been a tough journey, but it’s one more. 90 minutes, 120 minutes, penalties; whatever it takes, we will be there.”
The final between Spain and England will take place at 5am on Monday, July 15 (AEST), and all the action from the Olympiastadion in Berlin will be live on Optus Sport from 4.30am.
