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 July 11, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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 July 11, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
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
Ref chiefs taking Coote allegations 'seriously'
A VIDEO appearing to show suspended Premier League referee David Coote snorting white powder is being taken 'very seriously' by the referees' body.
Heskey be next could starlet to make grade
COLE Palmer was sold for £42m and has 52 goals or assists in 58 games since leaving City. And a goal in the European Championship final.
Impressive England too slick for Greece
ENGLAND are on course for promotion back to the Nations League top tier after debutant Curtis Jones' fantastic flick completed an impressive 3-0 victory in Greece as Thomas Tuchel watched from afar.
Coach Borthwick 'under pressure'
RASSIE Erasmus insists Steve Borthwick is a coach under pressure as South Africa look to inflict further misery on England at Allianz Stadium.
Government to ban coal mining projects
NEW coal mining schemes will be banned in the UK, the Government has said.
Former PM Sunak returns as backbencher
FORMER prime minister Rishi Sunak has returned to the Commons as a backbencher.
Starmer hails arrest of small boat suspect
SIR Keir Starmer has said the arrest of a 44-year-old Turkish man suspected of being a supplier of small boats was a \"significant piece of the jigsaw\" in tackling Channel migrant crossings but \"I'm not pretending it's the silver bullet\".
Charles marks birthday with food hub visit
THE King has celebrated his 76th birthday by visiting a food distribution hub as part of his drive to support charities feeding the nation.
Republicans gain control of House to secure power
THE Republican Party has won enough seats to control the US House, completing the party's sweep into power and securing their hold on the American government alongside president-elect Donald Trump.
My beautiful light in the dark
Joy of mother told she had aggressive cancer while pregnant
