Dean Henderson has instructed Ollie Watkins that his late winner towards the Netherlands within the Euro 2024 semi-finals was the ‘greatest second of his profession’.
Watkins got here on from the bench and netted within the 91st minute to finish a 2-1 comeback victory for the Three Lions, who booked their place in a second consecutive European Championship ultimate within the course of.
The late aim sparked wild celebrations inside Dortmund’s Sign Iduna Park, with England’s substitutes flooding onto the sphere to become involved.
A kind of substitutes was goalkeeper Henderson and regardless of not that includes in a single minute on the match, Watkins has revealed the Crystal Palace goalkeeper instructed him it was the ‘greatest second of his profession’.
“Dean Henderson mentioned it’s the most effective second of his profession and he wasn’t even enjoying,” Watkins instructed reporters (through BBC Sport).
“We work so arduous, day in and time out, throughout the season. We’re all right here on benefit, we’re common starters for our membership groups. It’s arduous to adapt to being a substitute however everybody’s collectively. It [England’s run to the final] has introduced the group collectively.”
Watkins admits Spain have been Euro 2024’s ‘greatest group up to now’
England arrived at Euro 2024 as one of many pre-tournament favourites however their performances in Germany imply they head into Sunday’s ultimate towards Spain because the underdogs.
La Roja, in the meantime, have been most individuals’s decide as the most effective group of the summer season, already beating the likes of Croatia, Italy, Germany and France — in addition to Georgia and Albania — to succeed in this stage. What’s extra, Luis de la Fuente’s males have posted match highs up to now for objectives scored (13), anticipated objectives (11.06), photographs heading in the right direction (38) and possibilities created (96).
Even Watkins has admitted Spain characterize an unlimited problem for England in Berlin on Sunday.
“I really feel like we’re very sturdy, Spain have had some powerful video games and needed to come via a more durable journey than us,” he mentioned. “[Beating] the so-called greater groups. I see what the boss is saying, I feel they’ve been the most effective group within the match up to now.”
