Going for goal: Ollie Watkins hopes to get the job done for England in today’s final against Spain. — AFP
BLANKENHAIN: Spain deserve to be tagged as favourites for today’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin but England have many different options in their attacking arsenal to take into the clash, goal hero Ollie Watkins says.
Watkins came off the bench and netted the dramatic stoppage time winner that got England into the showpiece match, rifling the ball across the goalkeeper and into the net as they beat Holland 2-1 in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Spain, however, had a tougher path to the final, Watkins said on Friday.
“They’ve had to come through a harder journey than us playing against Italy, Germany and France – the so-called bigger teams – and I feel like they have been probably the best team of the competition so far,” he said.
“The wingers for Spain are very dynamic, young, full of confidence and direct but also across our team, we have goals from everywhere and world class talent, so it’s going to be a very exciting match. I can’t wait to watch it and be a part of it. And hopefully we can get the job done.”
On teenager Lamine Yamal, who scored a stunning goal for Spain in their 2-1 semi-final victory over France, Watkins said he was a “generational talent”.
“Everyone’s seen what he can do. It’s not often that you are scoring a goal against France in the top corner in the semi-final of the Euros when you’re 16.
“He’s got the world at his feet and is miles ahead of me when I was 16 or 17.”
But Watkins, 28, is still relishing his role in getting England to the final in what was only his second outing at the tournament.The Aston Villa striker’s only previous goal in a competitive game at international level had come against San Marino in World Cup qualifying three years ago.His semi-final goal has been described as iconic in the context of putting England into a first major tournament final on foreign soil.
“I watched it quite a few times when I got back to base camp. I always watch my goals again, you know, whenever I scored against someone but this one I think I’ve watched quite a few more times than normal.
“I’ve just felt like whatever you put into the universe, you get back and I’m a firm believer that you can believe something, but if you deep down really truly believe that it can happen, then it will,” Watkins added.
It has happened before for Watkins.
He had also predicted that he would score in the semi-final from a Cole Palmer pass.
And that’s exactly what happened. — Agencies.
