Bukayo Saka breaks silence on amazing reaction to Watkins’ Netherlands winning goal to fire England into Euro 2024 final
BUKAYO SAKA has explained his brilliant reaction to Ollie Watkins’ dramatic late winner against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Saka was caught up in the moment as Watkins booked England a spot in Sunday’s final with his superb 90th minute finish.
The stunning winner sent fans and players into a frenzy as England‘s substitutes flooded onto the pitch to celebrate the goal.
And amidst the chaos and jubilation, Saka could be seen booting a loose ball on the pitch into the stands.
The amazing moment was caught on video and fans loved the Arsenal winger’s display of passion.
And now the 22-year-old has explained the story behind his celebration, explaining that he let his emotions take over.
Speaking to England’s official social media, he said: “When a moment like that happens on the pitch I think you can’t really control your feelings, your emotions and your actions as well.
“I just saw the ball and I went to just smash it as far and as high as was possible.
“It was just to let out all the passion and all that excitement I had for that moment.”
Saka when on to explain that Watkins had even managed to retrieve the ball as a memento for the historic night.
England's route to the Euro 2024 final
ENGLAND began their Euros final campaign in Germany on June 16.
The team topped Group C despite only winning one match.
But that’s all behind them now as they prepare to take on Spain in the final on July 14.
Here’s their route to the final:
June 16 – vs Serbia: England win 1-0 with a goal from Jude Bellingham in the 13th minute.
June 20 – vs Denmark: Ended 1-1 after Harry Kane’s 18th minute strike was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand.
June 25 – vs Slovenia: The match ended goalless but England topped the group with five points.
June 30 – vs Slovakia: In the last 16 clash Jude Bellingham saved England from being knocked out with a 91st minute equaliser. In extra time Harry Kane secured the win for the Three Lions.
July 6 – vs Switzerland: The quarter-final ended 1-1 after extra time with Bukayo Saka‘s reply to Breel Embolo’s strike. England won 5-3 on penalties.
July 10 – vs Netherlands: Another last gasp goal – this time by Ollie Watkins – saw England head into the final against Spain. Harry Kane scored from the spot to cancel out Xavi Simons’ 9th minute goal.
July 14 – vs Spain: England are in their first final on foreign soil and will be hoping to see off the challenge of Spain who won the Euros in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
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He added: “Somehow Ollie [Watkins] turned up with the ball that I smashed into the crowd.
“I don’t know how that happened, but I ‘m going to have some questions after this.”
Saka also gushed about Watkins’ goal, explaining that the moment in Dortmund has changed his life.
He added: “I was literally right behind it and I had the perfect angle of Ollie’s goal.
“Part of me was feeling like it was going to extra-time, but Ollie has just changed all of our lives with that goal and I think everyone is just looking forward to the final now.”
England face Spain tomorrow who have been labelled as the “best team in the tournament” by Gareth Southgate.
It’ll certainly be the Three Lions’ hardest test yet as they look to go one step further than their 2021 Wembley heartache.
Saka could play a huge part in that as one of England’s top performers at the tournament.
The superstar already dragged England across the finish line against Switzerland when he scored a stunning goal from outside the box to level the scores and force extra time.
While he then kept a cool head with the weight of the country on his shoulders when he dispatched his spot-kick during the penalty shootout – three years after heartbreakingly missing the crucial penalty against Italy in the last European Championship final.
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total - here is a look at every result...
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.