Last-minute madness

Joker stings! Southgate proves his lucky hand

Gold goal scorer Ollie Watkins(Bild: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

What a last-second goal, what a lucky hand from England coach Gareth Southgate! His jokers stung and lifted the "Three Lions" into the final of EURO 2024 with a 2:1 win against the Netherlands.

It was in the final second of normal time: Cole Palmer played a through pass into the penalty area, Ollie Watkins sprinted into the open space - and slammed the ball into the far corner. Madness! A co-production between the two jokers gave the English team the win!

Gareth Southgate brought on match-winners Watkins and Palmer for Foden and Kane.(Bild: AFP or licensors)

A lucky hand
Of all people, England coach Southgate, who has been so harshly criticized, proved to have a lucky hand. He took Harry Kane and Phil Foden out of the game ten minutes earlier, despite the threat of extra time and a penalty shoot-out. But he was right. 

"The most important thing is that everyone in the squad is ready to come into the game. We felt we were losing a bit of energy and Harry (Kane) took a bit of a knock. Ollie (Watkins) can press well and make those deep runs. We felt it was a good moment to try that."

Southgate has coached England to the final for the second time since EURO 2020 - and that after 23 years without a final!

"I am very grateful"
Watkins: "I've been longing for this moment for weeks. We've worked our way into the game. I'm very grateful that I got the opportunity. When I saw the ball go in, I thought: 'No way'."