Blankenhain, Germany: Ollie Watkins said he never lost faith he could be decisive in England's bid for Euro 2024 glory as the Three Lions prepare for Sunday's final against Spain. Watkins had only played 20 minutes in five games in Germany before coming off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner to beat the Netherlands 2-1 in England's semi-final on Wednesday. The Aston Villa striker's only previous goal in a competitive game at international level had come against San Marino in World Cup qualifying three years ago.
"It's been an unbelievable feeling to be honest," Watkins told reporters on Friday of his stunning low strike against the Dutch. "I knew when I was going onto the pitch that I was going to score, you know, I manifested it. I had worked very hard to get to that point, so it's been an amazing feeling, but I'm not shocked.
" Watkins' only previous appearance at the tournament had been as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw against Denmark in the group stages. He had to be patient for his opportunity despite England's struggles to get going in attack. Gareth Southgate's men have only won two of their six matches at Euro 2024 in 90 minutes and have needed late goals and comebacks in each of the last three rounds to get past Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
However, Watkins is hopeful England are coming to the boil in time to face a Spanish side that have been a class apart in the competition so far. "Obviously the early stages, the group stages, we weren't play.