Olie Watkins came off the bench to score the winning goal to lead England to a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in the semi final of the 2024 European Championship on Wednesday night.

The Aston Villa forward replaced Harry Kane with ten minutes to go before scoring the winner in the 91st minute to lead England into the final of the competition against Spain on Sunday.

Xavi Simons gave Netherlands the lead in the seventh minute with a thunderous finish against the run of play.

Harry Kane restored parity for England from the spot eleven minutes later after he was fouled in the box.

Both sides continued to probe for the winner to no avail before Palmer and Watkins combined to find the winner.

Southgate took off Harry Kane and Phil Foden for Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins in the 81st minute in a bid to add fresh legs to the team.

Palmer found Watkins, who finished expertly with a turn of pace to beat Bart Verbruggen in goal, which sent the England players and supporters into wild jubilations.

It was a disappointing end for Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands, who thought the game was heading into extra time, but Watkins had other plans.

England will now take on Spain in the final on Sunday in Berlin.

Watkins was delighted to be the hero after waiting for the moment for weeks.

He said, “I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m delighted. I swear on my life that I said to Cole Palmer that he’s going to set me up today and I’m going to score. It’s the best feeling ever.

“There’s been a lot of criticism but we’re in the final and that’s all that matters. We’ve got that bounce back factor. Going behind seems to kick us into gear. We’ve won on penalties and come from behind.”

England have now qualified for a second consecutive European Championship final after losing in 2021 to Italy at Wembley.