Media caption,

Highlights: Watkins sends England to Euro 2024 final

  1. Kane: ‘This is what we do, we go far in tournaments’published at 15:03 British Summer Time 11 July

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter in Dortmund

    The while England camp was absolutely buzzing after the win against the Netherlands.

    I was in the mixed zone last night and spoke to England captain Harry Kane who was saying that the team and manager Gareth Southgate have proved their point.

    “The whole tournament speaks for itself. There was a lot of talk especially at the start of the tournament but we do what we do.”

    “We go far in tournaments, we get the job done. Back to back finals is no easy feat and the boss is the main part of that.

    “He’s not afraid to make changes, he’s not afraid to do what’s best for the team.”

    Harry KaneImage source, Getty Images
  2. It's good to be English at the moment - Wiegmanpublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    England

    England's Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman, who is Dutch, spoke to the media earlier as her side prepare for their latest Euro qualifiers over the weekend.

    "We all know football worldwide is the biggest sport," she said.

    "In England, it’s on a different level. Since I came in and worked here, [I've seen that] it’s so in society and so deep where the support is. It’s incredible. I never take it for granted.

    "The whole country should be very proud. It’s not easy. We’ve seen that too. It’s good to be English at the moment in football."

    England women's coach Sarina Wiegman speaking at a news conferenceImage source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involved: How and where did you celebrate Watkins' winner?published at 14:58 British Summer Time 11 July

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    We’re on holiday in Tuscany and were planning to watch the game on a big screen at the place we’re staying, which is largely occupied by Swiss, Germans, Italians and a few Dutch but absolutely no other English! Instead, my 15 year old son broke his wrist saving a penalty from a German boy and we ended up watching it on my phone in A&E at Siena hospital. I couldn’t help celebrating much to the bemusement of the other patients and embarrassment of my son. But I didn’t care such was the emotion! I will watch it with all the other nationalities on Sunday. Hopefully there might be some other English to roar on the Three Lions with us!

    Adam

    Me and my mate were watching the game together in Lyon, France. We both moved here a few years ago and so sadly missed the great atmosphere back home. When that goal went in we absolutely erupted. So sweet to see England back in the final. These are the moments why we watch football. To celebrate with friends and family and it brings so many people together. Come on the England.

    Kaden, Lyon

  4. Man Utd committed to meeting Premier League PSRpublished at 14:54 British Summer Time 11 July

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Manchester United's third-quarter results were released yesterday.

    They included a £30.3m payment as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's part purchase of the club, which was a significant part of an overall £66.2m loss for the third quarter and leaves United looking at a loss of £36.9m for the 2023-24 season so far.

    In a world where finances are checked closely by the Premier League, there has been suggestions the situation could leave the club perilously close to exceeding limits and at risk of a points deduction for breaching Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR).

    Sources at United say the issue is not quite as desperate as that but it does explain why they didn't sign anyone in January and why they are looking to raise money through player sales in order to fund plans to strengthen Erik ten Hag's squad.

    They are committed to adhering to the rules but accept the situation is 'tight'.

  5. Ex-Saints man leading US coach searchpublished at 14:51 British Summer Time 11 July

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    The United States have sacked coach Gregg Berhalter in the wake of their dismal Copa America performance.

    It means one of the most attractive international jobs is available less than two years before the US hosts a World Cup.

    The fascinating bit will be where they go from here. Another home-grown candidate or a star name?

    It is a huge decision and will be led by a familiar face to Southampton fans.

    Matt Crocker was their director of football operations, before leaving for the Football Association and then returning to the club for another short spell.

    He took over as US technical director last year and will now lead the search for a new coach.

  6. Bayern complete Joao Palhinha signingpublished at 14:49 British Summer Time 11 July

    Bayern Munich
    Bayern Munich

    Joao Palhinha posing in the Bayern Munich kit after signing for the German clubImage source, Bayern Munich

    Bayern Munich have signed midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham. The Portugal international, who turned 29 on Tuesday, joins the German club on a four-year contract.

    "This is one of the happiest days of my life," he said. "I'm now playing for one of the top clubs in Europe. It's a dream come true for me, and I'm very proud of that.

    "I'm looking forward to the atmosphere and the fans at the Allianz Arena. I want to enjoy success with FC Bayern and win titles - I'll give it my all."

  7. Uruguay defeat sets up Bielsa v Marsch clashpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 11 July

    Uruguay 0-1 Colombia

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    The ugly scenes that followed last night's Copa America semi-final in Charlotte have obscured an intriguing third-place play-off match-up between two former Leeds United bosses.

    Marcelo Bielsa earned hero status at Elland Road for taking Leeds back to the Premier League and galvanising an entire football club.

    Yet Jesse Marsch came in after Bielsa was sacked and was successful in stopping what seemed to be a certain slide back into the Championship.

    Marsch didn't survive the following season, when Leeds did go down. Now his Canada side will take on Uruguay on Saturday (Sun, 01:00 BST), also in Charlotte.

    It should be fascinating.

  8. Nunez involved in Copa America altercationpublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 11 July

    Uruguay 0-1 Colombia

    Darwin Nunez was involved in an altercation with spectators after his national team Uruguay were beaten on Wednesday evening.

    The Liverpool striker was seen physically confronting Colombia fans in the stands after Uruguay lost 1-0 to 10-man Colombia in the Copa America semi-finals.

    According to Uruguayan outlet El País,, external disorder broke out close to where friends and family members of the Uruguay team were located. Nunez is yet to comment publicly on the incident.

    TV cameras and fans captured images of Nunez climbing up railings and making his way into the crowded stands of the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

    The 25-year-old could then be seen confronting Colombia fans as others tried to restrain him.

    Media caption,

    Copa America: Luiz Suarez react to Colombia violence

  9. What's to come?published at 14:39 British Summer Time 11 July

    We have a few news updates to bring you before we start looking forward to Sunday's final again...

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'If we win the final, I think I’m going to melt'published at 14:37 British Summer Time 11 July

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    Southgate above anyone deserves the win on Sunday to silence the critics. In 6 years he's taken us from embarrassing results, the Roy Hodgson Iceland defeat to a semi final and 2 finals. Changed the culture and winning mentality of English football.

    James

    Gareth’s character arc in this story is remarkable - more so as he’s never once wavered in his self belief no matter what has been figuratively and literally thrown at him. He’s said he wanted to make England happy and he has - not just at home but all over the world - we’ve been watching the games in New Zealand then going to work absolutely bouncing. If we win on Monday (NZ time) I think I’m going to melt.

    David, NZ

  11. Playing in Sunday's final 'is what we came here to do'published at 14:35 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    England

    On Sunday's final against Spain in Berlin, England manager Gareth Southgate added: "This is what we came here to do and we’ve been building for two years towards this. You have to enjoy nights like this but, equally, it's such a quick turnaround and we’ve a day less than the team who have been the best in the tournament so far (Spain).

    "It’s going to be a very, very tough game. But you wouldn’t expect to get to a final and it not be. It's fabulous for everyone at home to look forward to."

  12. 'The players made so many good decisions'published at 14:33 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    England

    England coach Gareth Southgate celebrates after his team beat the Netherlands at Euro 2024Image source, Getty Images

    England manager Gareth Southgate said on the Football Daily podcast: "We knew the Netherlands had quality, so they can punish you, like they did. But [there was] maybe a bit more opportunity to play and I thought our midfield players, Phil Foden especially, just kept finding space, kept getting on the ball and had a lot of freedom to play.

    "They had to keep changing what they were doing, which meant we had to keep changing what we were doing. It was a very complicated game, particularly defensively.

    "Bukayo [Saka] did an immense job for us - he started as a wing-back, he covered in midfield, he defended as a winger at times. It was one of those nights where everybody has to be really flexible, but the players made so many good decisions on the pitch."

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - Where and how did you watch England's Euro 2024 semi-final?published at 14:28 British Summer Time 11 July

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    We celebrated Watkins winner in the maddest way. During the Killers at the O2. Brandon downed tools and they switched the screens to the game for the last 2 minutes. The place went OFF ! Then they let rip Mr Brightside ! It was like they knew…

    Rob, London

    Click here for more on a memorable night for fans of the Killers at the O2.

    The Killers on stage at the O2Image source, Chris Phelps
  14. More than 20 million tune in for England's semi-final victorypublished at 14:26 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Colin Paterson
    Entertainment Correspondent, BBC News

    Some 20.2 million people were watching ITV last night as the former Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins fired England into the Euros final.

    Not surprisingly, the five-minute audience figure between 21:50 and 21:55, as the goal went in and the match ended, was the peak for the whole game. However, more than 10 million were still watching 20 minutes later as Ian Wright, Gary Neville and Roy Keane dissected the goals and Harry Kane gave his post-match interview.

    It should also be pointed out that these numbers do not include those watching in bars and clubs, or indeed the crowd at London’s O2 Arena, who were shown the climax of the match on a giant screen, before the Killers burst into Mr. Brightside.

    In comparison, England’s penalty shoot-out against Switzerland on Saturday evening attracted a five-minute peak of 16.8 million.

    Of those programmes who were up against the football at 21:50 last night, the most watched show was The Great British Sewing Bee on BBC1, with 1.5 million tuning in for 'Diva Week'.

    While the top digital show in that timeslot was ITV3’s Midsomer Murders, with 300,000 people watching as DCI John Barnaby tried to solve the case of a local doctor who had been murdered in a beekeeping-themed episode. Much like in the football, there was a sting in the tale.

  15. ‘Watkins is a brilliant footballer but an even better person’published at 14:22 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Pria Rai
    BBC Newsbeat presenter

    Pierce SweeneyImage source, Getty Images

    Before he played for England, before he played for Villa, even before he played for Brentford - Ollie Watkins had star quality.

    That's according to former team-mate Pierce Sweeney, who is captain at Exeter City, the club Watkins joined in 2003 aged just nine.

    “I had no doubt he would be a top player,” Sweeney tells BBC Newsbeat. “But I didn’t expect him to be where he is today – scoring the winner at the semi-finals of the European Championship.

    “It’s a really good example of having setbacks,” he says and at 28, Watkins proves “it really doesn’t matter how old you are”.

    He remembers Watkins as shy and humble. “There’s no big ego there. He’s obviously a brilliant footballer but he’s an even better person,” he says. “Everybody’s really proud of him here.”

  16. get involved

    Get Involved - Where and how did you watch England's Euro 2024 semi-final?published at 14:19 British Summer Time 11 July

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    So lucky to be able to be in the stadium last night with my football mad husband and son. Great substitutions. Awesome goal from Ollie Watkins! It’s coming home!

    Joanne

    England fans holding an England flag at the game against the Netherlands in Dortmund
  17. Watkins' impact really a surprise?published at 14:18 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Joe Nelson
    BBC Sport

    Ollie Watkins applauds the England fansImage source, Getty Images

    Ollie Watkins' late winner against the Netherlands undoubtedly showed super skill and composure but, after the way he performed for Aston Villa last season, it is really surprising that the Premier League's Playmaker of the Season made the difference for England?

    The striker scored 19 times for his club in the league in 2023-24 and also laid on 13 assists in the process.

    Villa's qualification for the Champions League was also in a large part down to the 28-year-old's form.

    In bringing him on against the Netherlands, Southgate introduced one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League into the game. Not a bad option to have!

  18. Supersub Watkins becomes England heropublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Although Ian Wright did come on against the Netherlands way back in 1993, the hosts had just gone 2-0 up at the time and the former Arsenal striker - part of the ITV's coverage last night - was unable to spark a fightback.

    Many England fans felt that last night's game was made for Ollie Watkins to come on and score - and he did just that to send England into the Euro 2024 final.

    Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring for England against the Netherlands at Euro 2024Image source, PA Media
  19. 'The referee's got me the sack. Thank him ever so much for that won't you?'published at 14:08 British Summer Time 11 July

    And, of course, the documentary - named 'The Impossible Job' - featured some memorable quotes, including references to former England strikers Les Ferdinand and Ian Wright:

    • "Can we not knock it?"
    • "Do I not like that..."
    • "It's got to go, son. It's got to go big. It's got to go big!"
    • "Go Les! Hit Les! Hit Les over the top!"
    • "Wrighty? It's made for Wrighty to come on and score, isn't it?"
    • "The referee's got me the sack. Thank him ever so much for that won't you?"
    England manager Graham Taylor in the dugout with his coaching staff for a World Cup qualifier away to the Netherlands in 1993Image source, Getty Images
  20. What's Dutch for 'swings and roundabouts'?published at 14:06 British Summer Time 11 July

    England's hopes of qualifying for the 1994 World Cup and Graham Taylor's managerial career were all transformed by a two-minute spell around the hour mark. Andy Sinton - on at half-time in place of Carlton Palmer - hit a long ball over the top for David Platt to run on to.

    The England captain was hauled to the ground by Ronald Koeman, but referee Karl-Josef Assenmacher decided to only show the Barcelona man a yellow card, rather than red.

    The documentary was to show Taylor imploring the German official to send Koeman off, memorably asking fourth official Markus Merk: "What sort of thing is happening here?"

    Moments later Koeman scored a free-kick and the Netherlands went on to win 2-0.

    Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands challenges England's David Platt during a World Cup qualifier in 1993Image source, Getty Images