Ollie Watkins says his stunning semi-final winner has left him hungry to make another telling impact in Sunday’s Euro 2024 showpiece, warning Spain: “I’ve got that fire in my belly!”
Watkins became an unlikely national hero when coming off the bench to fire a 90th-minute winner in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Dutch, a goal that put England’s men into their first ever major tournament final overseas.
“It’s been an unbelievable feeling,” the former Brentford striker said. “I was taken aback by the goal but also I wasn’t shocked that I did that really.
“I had full belief in myself, I knew when I was going onto the pitch that I was going to score. I manifested it, I had worked very hard to get to that point. It’s been an amazing feeling but I’m not shocked.
"I watched it quite a few times when I got back to base camp. I always watch my goals back back, even for Villa whenever I score. But that one I watched quite a few more times than normal.”
Watkins enjoyed a sensational club season with Aston Villa, managing 40 goals and assists across competitions. He had, however, been limited to just one substitute appearance in five matches at this European Championship prior to his dramatic late show, with Ivan Toney preferred as an option off the bench in both the last-16 and quarter-final wins.
Gareth Southgate, though, has said all along that would use his two Harry Kane understudies depending on the match situation and with both having now made telling substitute impacts, Watkins has set his sights on another decisive cameo at the Olympiastadion this weekend.
“I’ve got that fire in my belly,” he added. “I’m ready whenever I’m called upon and hopefully I get the call to come on again. Then, hopefully I can produce.
“One of my good friends, who is coming to the game actually, told me years ago he felt like I would score in the Euros final. Obviously I scored in the semi so it was a game early. But you never know, it could happen on the weekend.”
