OUTSTANDING Ollie Watkins’ thunderous late finish propelled England into their first-ever major final on foreign territory.
The Aston Villa player opened up Sunday’s matchup with Spain in Berlin with a thunderous strike on the turn.
With barely seven minutes remaining, Xavi Simons scored a stunning goal that gave England a nightmarish start.
6Harry Kane got England back in the game after going behind early onCredit: AFP
In response, though, Gareth Southgate’s team played by far the finest football of the competition.
They may have been fortunate with the penalty that tied the score when Denzel Dumfries’s foot caught Harry Kane’s after the England captain’s strike went over thanks to VAR.
Using his monitor, Zwayer gave Kane the spot-kick, which he buried.
Subsequently, Phil Foden struck the post with a spectacular strike, and Dumfries, who also struck the crossbar with a shot, cleared it off the line.
The game appeared to be going away from England, but Watkins made history by burying a pass from fellow substitute Cole Palmer.
6Super sub Ollie Watkins scored a last-gasp stunner to send England throughCredit: EPA
6England will face Spain in the final
Jordan Pickford – 7
Jordan Picford made some key saves to help England progressCredit: AFP
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker – 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones – 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi – 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game.
Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Kieran Trippier – 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Declan Rice – 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo – 8
6Kobbie Mainoo ran the show during his time on the pitchCredit: EPA
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half.
Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently.
Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Phil Foden – 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament.
Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Harry Kane – 6
6Kane expertly converted his first-half spot kickCredit: Getty
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals.
Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
Subs
Luke Shaw (on for Trippier half-time) – 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane 80 mins) – 9
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind.
Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (on for Foden 80 mins) – 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.