England fans hope to end 58 years of hurt & roar Three Lions onto Euros victory after Ollie Watkins wondergoal
ENGLAND fans are gearing up to roar the Three Lions to a sensational Euros victory this weekend – ending 58 years of hurt.
Supersub Ollie Watkins last night sent England to their second Euros final in a row — with a sensational 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands.
Gareth Southgate’s men now face favourites Spain in Berlin on Sunday night — just one match from ending an agonising 58-year trophy drought.
In Dortmund, diehard England supporters believe they can win their first men’s tournament since the 1966 World Cup after Aston Villa striker Watkins’ late heroics.
Plymouth hospital anaesthetist Simon Courtman, 56, who took his lifeguard son Sonny to the game as an 18th birthday present, said: “Our name is on the cup now – it’s written in the stars.
“It’s taken 24 hours and cost a fortune to get us here but I’ve got the bug and I’ve loved partying with the Dutch.
“But Berlin beckons now for the big one – bring on the Spanish!”
Sonny roared: “It’s coming home – no doubt about it now.”
Last night, in a titanic Euros semi-final between two heavyweight nations, the Dutch went ahead on seven minutes with a scorching drive from Xavi Simons.
But skipper Harry Kane equalised 11 minutes later with a penalty which he won.
Then, after a nervy second-half with few chances, substitute Watkins — who came on for Kane — slammed in a sensational 90th-minute winner to send the Three Lions fans into dreamland.
Watkins said after the game that he told team-mate Cole Palmer he would score and the Chelsea man would provide the assist — and that is exactly that happened.
He said: “When I saw it in the bottom corner, it was the best feeling ever.
“There’s been a lot of criticism but at the end of the day, we’re in the final. Forget all the outside noise – we’re in the final.
“We’ve got that bounceback factor…we never give up. We’ve won on penalties, we’ve come from behind. One more game now.”
When asked if the squad were ready for Spain, and their 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal, he smiled and nodded: “Ready.”
The King also sent the team a good luck message for the final, and asked them for a favour.
Charles said: “If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated!”
New PM Sir Keir Starmer also said he will be there for the final on Sunday.
The epic semi-final victory sent the Dutch and their vast orange fan army packing as beer-chucking joy erupted among millions of England fans back home.
Telecoms boss Andrew Louka, 44, from London said: “We’ve surprised ourselves yet again and I’m sure we can beat Spain. The Spaniards have been the best team in the tournament but the most-fancied sides don’t always win.”
Recruitment consultant Mark Knapper, 65, from Codicote, Herts, said: “I’m elated. Beating Holland will give the team the belief we can bring football home at last.
“Our big names are coming good at the right time. Spain play open football and England play better against teams with that style. We can beat them.”
The late win sparked a swarm of messages online. Prince William said: “What a beauty, Ollie! Congratulations England! #EURO2024 Finalists”
Rio Ferdinand said: “GIVE SOUTHGATE HIS FLOWERS!!! Every game substitutions! Ollie Watkins!!!!!”
Piers Morgan said: “Brilliant win. Brilliant goal. Brilliant performance. Brilliant management. Congrats to England, and especially Ollie Watkins and Gareth Southgate.
“One game from immortality, lads – go bring it home.”
Gary Lineker said: “Yesssssssss! Ollie Watkins, you absolute beauty.”
England WAGs at the game included Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan, Declan Rice’s girlfriend Lauren Fryer, Kane’s missus Katie and Dani Dyer, Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend. Kyle Walker’s spouse Annie Kilner was also there with the couple’s four children.
England supporters were outnumbered by at least five to one in Dortmund as 120,000 Dutch fans nuts flooded across the border.
They occupied the famous “Yellow Wall” end of Borussia Dortmund’s 62,000-seat BVB Stadium – turning it orange.
England supporters were wary of German referee Felix Zwayer after he was previously banned for match-fixing, leading to a row with Jude Bellingham.
The former Borussia Dortmund star was fined £34,000 by the German FA in 2021 for blasting Zwayer after his side lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich.
The referee, under pressure from VAR, awarded England a penalty after Kane was caught by Denzel Dumfries’ follow-through. He also booked Bellingham for a rash second-half challenge.
Southgate’s jubilant squad flew back to their base at Blankenhain in central Germany last night and will have a rest day today.