England fans think Ollie Watkins' late goal against the Netherlands only happened because of one decision made by Gareth Southgate.
England needed a hero to step up and send them through to the final of Euro 2024, and Ollie Watkins duly obliged.
With England drawing 1-1 with a Netherlands side in the ascendancy, Gareth Southgate brought the Aston Villa striker off the bench with 10 minutes left to play.
Advert
In the 90th-minute Watkins latched onto a Cole Palmer pass and riffled a shot into the bottom far corner, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and in the stands at the BVB Stadion.
England were the better side in the first half after Harry Kane's penalty cancelled out Xavi Simons' opener, but as the second half wore on Southgate's side retreated further and further into their own half.
Kane was offering no outlet whatsoever, so Southgate took a chance on Watkins and was rewarded.
Advert
It's no surprise that Watkins knows where the goal is; last season he scored 19 goals in 37 Premier League games and assisted a further 13.
The 28-year-old scored some superb goals for Villa in 2023-24, but none as important as his first major tournament goal.
However, fans have realised that Southgate probably deserves credit for the goal too.
Advert
A highlights compilation has emerged on social media showing the striking resemblance between Watkins' winner with several goals scored by former Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The Dutchman turned out for Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Charlton in the Premier League, and at 52 is now part of Southgate's coaching staff.
The England boss brought the former hitman on board to work with England's strikers, and he's clearly had an impact on Watkins.
One fan on X commented: "Just realised how extremely Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink that Watkins finish is," while another said: "He’s the first player I thought of when that went in now he’s part of the staff."
Advert
England will now take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin.
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Netherlands, Ollie Watkins
Alex Brotherton