OLLIE Watkins struck at the death to send England to their second successive European Championship final as Gareth Southgate's side dug deep to see off the Netherlands.
The eyes of the nation were fixed on Dortmund on Wednesday evening as the Euro 2020 runnersup looked to seal a shot at history in Sunday's Berlin showpiece against favourites Spain.
Harry Kane's spot-kick cancelled out a superb Xavi Simons opener before Watkins stepped off the bench and wrote his name into the history books by sealing a 2-1 triumph in the 90th minute.
No English men's team has made it to a major final on foreign soil before and now they have the chance to become become European champions for the first time this weekend. Southgate's side played their best football of the tournament during a breathless first half in which Kane scored a contentious penalty after Simons struck an early blow.
England lost control but the bold decision to replace Phil Foden and Kane with Cole Palmer and Watkins paid off magnificently, with the former feeding the latter to turn and strike the momentous winner.
Southgate only made change from the Swiss clash and saw an encouraging start undone before the mist from the pre-match pyrotechnics had fully lifted.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Eas-zee does it as striker will offer Ten Hag different options in attack
IT was a low-key introduction to life at United for Joshua Zirkzee, who was put through his paces at a quiet Carrington on Monday.
Think about it, let me know... Pep on Alvarez
GUARDIOLA HAS A SIMPLE MESSAGE FOR ALVAREZ
City can't spare the Rod - and that is a big problem
BLUES SUFFERED IN THE GAMES RODRI MISSED
Mott stands down as white-ball coach
MATTHEW Mott has stood down as England's white-ball head coach, leaving Marcus Trescothick in charge while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
'Party must act to cut mass migration'
TORY leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick said his party has been \"unable or unwilling\" to do what is required to cut the number of people coming to the UK.
Compensation plan for Horizon victims
THOSE AFFECTED BY POST OFFICE SCANDAL INVITED TO APPLY
Thug jailed for callous robbery of pensioner
VICTIM, 80, PLEADED ‘DON'T TAKE MY BAG' BUT BRUTE WRENCHED IF OFF HER
Football club's building application goes into extra time
PLANNING PERMISSION BID MADE 16 YEARS AFTER FACILITIES PUT UP
'It's your father you are hitting, stop it'
COURT TOLD OF MUM'S WORDS TO SON IN CASE OF ‘UTMOST TRAGEDY'
Devastation as stab horror girls named
THE headteachers of the schools attended by three young girls killed in the brutal Southport stabbings have said they are ‘heartbroken and devastated’.
