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- Ollie Watkins scored a last-minute winner to send England into the Euro 2024 final
- The Three Lions will face a Spain in top form at the Olympiastadion on Sunday
Ollie Watkins’ mother’s wish that Gareth Southgate would finally let her son “go out on the f***ing pitch” was sensationally fulfilled as the Aston Villa star led England to the Euro 2024 final.
The striker admitted he was frustrated by his lack of playing time in the tournament, having played just 20 minutes in England’s second group game against Denmark.
But with the Three Lions looking for victory against the Netherlands on Wednesday night, Southgate turned to the Villa star in a move that granted his mother Nicola’s wish.
Footage has emerged of her addressing England fans just days before the game in Dortmund and she can be seen passionately pleading with the England manager to reward her son with minutes.
“On Wednesday (my wish is) that they finally let my son go out on the damn field,” he said to the jubilant reactions of those in attendance.
Warning: explicit language
Ollie Watkins’ mother Nicola (left) had called for her son to be given more playing time at the Euros.
A video shows her giving an impassioned speech to England fans, saying her wish was for them to “finally let my son on the f***ing pitch”.
The Aston Villa striker scored a sublime goal in the 90th minute to send England into Sunday’s final.
Southgate’s side have become the first English team in history to reach the final of a major tournament abroad, where they face Spain in Berlin on Sunday.
And Watkins emerged as the team’s unlikely hero, with the game level in the 90th minute following goals from Xavi Simmons and Harry Kane.
The 28-year-old revealed after the match that he predicted he would come off the bench and score in the semi-final: ‘I swear on my life, I swear on my kids’ lives, I said to Cole Palmer, we’re going to go in and you’re going to set me up today.
“And that’s why I was so happy. I knew that as soon as I had the ball I was going to play and then you have to be ambitious: touch and finish.
“And when I saw him go to the corner below… oh my life.
“I’m speechless. When you score a goal, you get emotional, but this is a different feeling, like in slow motion. I didn’t want to leave the field, I just wanted to enjoy it. I don’t think I’ve ever hit a ball so well.”
His decisive contribution earned him the Man of the Match award and a memory that, he admitted, exceeded his wildest dreams.
“To be honest, I didn’t dream about it when I was a kid. I can’t lie to you and say I dreamed about it,” he added.
“I didn’t think I would make it in a tournament like this. I never thought I would play in the Euros with England. You can dream, but I’m a realist and I take it day by day.
Watkins was greeted as a hero by friends and family of the England players after the match and shared a kiss with his girlfriend Ellie Alderson, as his mother Nicola (right) looked on.
Watkins and his teammate were pictured after he led England to the Euro 2019 final.
The 28-year-old was awarded the Man of the Match award after his decisive contribution.
“I’ve worked hard to get here. I’m going to enjoy every moment.
‘I’ve obviously been a bit frustrated lately. I don’t like being on the bench, I’ve had the best season of my career. I’ve had friends messaging me telling me to be patient and the amount of people messaging me tonight telling me I’d score when I came on was ridiculous.
‘I hope they can do the same for the final or give me the lottery numbers!’