ALAN SHEARER rolled back the years as he watched England’s men reach their first ever major final on foreign soil last night.
The Newcastle legend was on co-commentary duties for BBC 5 Live when England booked their spot in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final with a dramatic 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
Shearer, 53, was carried away by the historic moment as Ollie Watkins scored a 90th minute winner to edge past the Dutch and secure England’s place in Berlin this weekend.
In fact, the former bagsman enjoyed it so much that he even pulled out his iconic celebration from his playing days as he watched Watkins fire home the winner.
A clip of Shearer on commentary duties alongside John Murray saw him raise his arm straight in the air as the ball hit the back of the net – just as he used to do back when he was a player.
Shearer was well known for his simple, but iconic, celebration during his goal-filled career.
The all-time Premier League top scorer didn’t just give a gut reaction from his seat with his celebration, but also gushed about Watkins’ contribution during his commentary.
He said: “That is a sensational finish! That’s what he offers.
“That’s what he offers. He ran in behind, he wanted the ball delivered. It was delivered.
“He took the touch. What a turn, what a finish! The keeper has no chance.
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“He finds the bottom of the net, that’s what you want when you put a substitute on.”
Watkins came on for Harry Kane with just nine minutes left to play and made his impact felt.
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.
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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.
It was only the second time that the Aston Villa striker has made an appearance for Gareth Southgate‘s side this summer.
Shearer’s praise didn’t stop there either as he took to social media after full-time to write: “Just finished on @bbc5live and got to say OLLIE WATKINS you f****** beauty. The touch, turn and finish.”
While Watkins himself already knew that he was going to be the difference maker.
The 28-year-old explained after the final whistle that he has told teammate Cole Palmer, who assisted his winner, that the Chelsea midfielder was going to set him up to score against the Dutch despite both stars starting on the bench.
He 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’.”
