Ollie Watkins was the last England player to leave the pitch, the match-winner finally heading down the tunnel with John Stones, still beaming, his eyes shining in disbelief as he drank it all in.
Moments earlier, the rest of England’s squad and staff stood back, allowing Watkins his moment alone here in front of the fans, who danced in the stands and sung their new hero’s name on repeat.
“I didn’t want to get off the pitch, I just wanted to soak it all up,” said Watkins afterwards. He was calm, but seemed a little dazed.
This was Watkins’ night, the Aston Villa forward coming off the bench and scoring with a brilliant, instinctive finish in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and send England to a first major final on foreign soil.
It was another iconic England goal at Euro 2024, another moment for the highlights reel, a third magnificent strike in as many knockout games.
If Gareth Southgate’s side beat Spain in Berlin on Sunday, it will go down as one the most important moments in the rich footballing history of this nation.
This was Southgate’s night, too, and, when Watkins had had his fill, it was the England manager’s turn in front of supporters. He roared and pumped his fists.
Southgate has reconnected with fans and been vindicated for his approach once again. He keeps on proving his doubters wrong
These are the moments Southgate lives for, the reason he has continued to do the impossible job. There were no boos and no one pelted him with beer cups this time.
“We’re kindred spirits in many ways,” Southgate said of England’s travelling fans. “We all just want to be loved, right?”
England’s target has always been nothing short of winning these Euros but, whatever happens against a magnificent Spain side, Southgate has reconnected with fans and been vindicated for his approach once again. He keeps on proving his doubters wrong.
For one thing, it is time to reassess his ability to change the course of a game, and Southgate’s introduction of Watkins and Cole Palmer, who set up the winner with an incisive pass, with nine minutes to play was inspired.
When Southgate picked both Watkins and Ivan Toney as understudies to Harry Kane, many wondered at his logic, but he has used the pair superbly.
Toney made the difference against Slovakia and the Swiss, and given his impact, it was easy to assume Watkins’ tournament was effectively done.
Southgate, though, sensed that Watkins could stretch a leggy Dutch defence, and he collected Palmer’s pass and fired through the legs of Stefan de Vrij into the far corner. Cue bedlam.
England’s first half was their best of the tournament; Kane’s controversially-awarded penalty cancelling out Xavi Simons’ rocket. Phil Foden had a shot cleared off the line and struck the post, the playmaker relishing the freedom of finally playing against a back-four.
Kane was sharp, Bukayo Saka brilliant again and Kobbie Mainoo the embodiment of youthful exuberance. Southgate’s first decisive call came at the interval, Luke Shaw replacing Kieran Trippier, who was struggling with injury.
But the Dutch dug in and, after the introductions of Joey Veerman and Wout Weghorst, were more compact in the second half, much harder to break down.
England tired and the game began to drift, with Jordan Pickford forced to save from Virgil van Dijk before Saka had a goal disallowed for a Kyle Walker offside.
Then came Southgate’s big play, Palmer an expected call, but Watkins something of a surprise. Southgate likes to refer to his substitutes as “finishers” and, really, this England squad is made up of finishers.
England may not be as slick, coherent, controlled or exhilarating as Spain — and one reporter cheekily asked Dutch coach Ronald Koeman last night if he could advise the Spanish how to “save football” on Sunday — but they are deadly in the final third.
If the Spanish have the best team, the English have the best collection of clutch players, capable of creating a moment from nothing.
Jude Bellingham, Kane, Saka, Palmer, Watkins and Toney have now all delivered when it matters, while Foden has done everything but score in Germany. Perhaps his moment is coming at the Olympic Stadium.
Southgate’s plan to keep it tight and rely on inspiration in the final third has been criticised, dismissed as boring or high-risk. But it is working.
England do not have a Rodri or a Fabian Ruiz, players capable of controlling the game, but then Spain do not have a Watkins or a Toney, let alone a Kane.
England have not created many chances, but equally it is hard to remember a big opportunity they have missed in Germany. Any sight of goal will do.
Southgate was always confident that his team would grow into the tournament, and England have done that, gradually shaking off the rust and moving through the gears.
They have made history already, but not the history they came here to make, and they will have to be better still to see off a Spain side who beat France in Tuesday’s other semi-final.
Against most predictions, though, England are still here — and Southgate is still standing.
