OLLIE WATKINS’ mum brilliantly urged Gareth Southgate to play her son more in an X-rated rant at a pub ahead of the semi-final.
Thankfully for her and all of England, her wish came true with the Aston Villa man coming off the bench to send England into the Euro 2024 final.
Warning: Explicit language
Former Exeter and Brentford striker Watkins, 28, scored a 90th-minute winner against Holland on Wednesday night as the Three Lions marched onto Berlin to face Spain on Sunday.
It is an astonishing rise for the Torquay-born forward – who was on loan at non-league side Weston-super-Mare 10 years ago.
But his sensational impact seemed unlikely ahead of the semi-final as he had only featured for just 20 minutes off the bench in England‘s group-stage draw with Denmark.
And ahead of the clash with the Dutch, Watkins’ mum was filmed addressing England supporters in a pub as she urged her son to receive more game time.
Speaking into a microphone, she said: “On Wednesday, [my wish is] that they finally let my son come on the f***ing pitch.”
Remarkably, Nicola, who used to drive her son to training while juggling a singing career, got her wish and Watkins went on to score the crucial goal.
The mother and son embraced in an emotional moment after the game.
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And Watkins revealed in his post-match press conference that he told Cole Palmer at half-time they were going to combine to score a goal, before they went on to do so in devastating fashion.
The 81st-minute substitute said: “I swear on my life, my kid’s life, I said to Cole Palmer: we’re coming on today and you’re gonna set me up.”
He went on to add: “The ball came into me, hold up is not the strongest side of my game but the goal was my bread and butter.
“I said to Cole Palmer we were both going to go on the pitch and he would set me up and it happened.
“You don’t get that opportunity very often and I had to be greedy and take the shot. I don’t think I have hit the ball so sweet like that before.”
It was Watkins’ fourth goal in 14 England caps and adds to an incredible season.
He scored 27 goals and assisted 13 in 53 appearances for Villa, inspiring them to Champions League qualification.
ENGLAND stormed into the final against Spain thanks to Ollie Watkins' last-minute strike in the 2-1 win over Holland.
It was a brilliant team performance, but how did each player rate?
SunSport’s Tom Barclay ran the rule over Southgate’s boys, and here’s how he rated them.
Jordan Pickford: 7
Bigger goalkeepers may have got a stronger hand to Xavi Simons’ early stunner – though that was being hypercritical. Solid stop to deny Virgil van Dijk after the hour.
Kyle Walker: 7
Looked re-energised after some lumbering displays and bombed on at times in the first half, despite his role on the right of a back three. Last-ditch tackle on Cody Gakpo was spot on.
John Stones: 7
Strong in possession. He looks to have benefited from regular game-time after rarely featuring for Manchester City in the last few months.
Marc Guehi: 6
Came back into the side after suspension ruled him out of the Switzerland game. Had an unenviable task of making the big man Wout Weghorst after the break.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Razor-sharp in the first half, winning tackles, making runs and dribbling the ball proficiently. Less of an impact after the break, had a goal ruled out for offside and was booked.
Declan Rice: 6
Lost possession for Simons’ thunderous opener but grew into the game, mopping up where necessary. Poor pass when Kane was open midway through the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo: 8
Was England’s youngest-ever player to play in a major-tournament semi-final, aged 19years 82 days, and had a stormer in the first half. Great bursts forward, vital tackles, and his interplay with Foden was a joy.
Kieran Trippier: 6
We all know by now that he is playing out of position, so again he was limited going forward and reliable defensively. Subbed at half-time for the more natural Shaw.
Phil Foden: 7
The first 45 minutes was by far and away his best half of the tournament. Thought he’d scored when his shot was cleared off the line by Denzel Dumfries, and cracked the post with a cracker. But was then surprisingly subbed.
Jude Bellingham: 5
Back at the ground where he made his name but struggled to make much of an impact on his old stomping ground. Fortunate it was not he that was subbed.
Harry Kane: 6
Won and dispatched the penalty to go joint top-scorer in the tournament with three goals. Had looked more mobile initially but still tired badly after the break and was taken off.
SUBS
Luke Shaw (for Kieran Trippier, half-time): 6
Looked assured for a man who has been out for so long.
Ollie Watkins (for Harry Kane, 81): 9 and STAR MAN
Surprisingly given the nod over Ivan Toney as striker sub as Southgate looked for more pace in behind. Brilliant finish into the corner to win the game – you could not ask more from him.
Cole Palmer (for Phil Foden, 81): 7
Had his big chance in the final minutes but shanked it horribly wide – but then fed Watkins for his wonderful winner.
Gareth Southgate: 8
His switch to a back three against Switzerland helped dig out the win there, and here it had his team finally playing some great football in the first half. The team went into their shells again as the game wore on and you feared the worst – but you have to say his decision to bring on Ollie Watkins was a masterstroke.
