Harry Kane hinted England were fortunate to be awarded the controversial penalty that gifted them a route back into their Euro 2024 semi-final against Netherlands.
The Three Lions looked to be up against it when they fell behind in the eighth minute to Xavi Simons long-range blast following an error from Declan Rice.
Kane, however, showed typical composure just 10 minutes later after VAR adjudged he had been impeded by Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries.
ITV pundit Gary Neville called the decision a disgrace, while co-commentators Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon were left baffled by the video referee’s intervention.
England beat Netherlands to reach Euro 2024 final – as it happened
Indeed, even Kane suggested England were somewhat fortuitious, saying: ‘My foot’s hanging off so he definitely caught me!
‘Sometimes you get them sometimes you don’t. I was happy to step up and see that go in the back of he net. It was a nice feeling for sure.’
The Bayern Munich substitute struggled in the second half and looked well off the pace before Gareth Southgate’s brave decision to withdraw his captain.
Southgate’s gamble was thoroughly vindicated, however, with Kane’s replacement Watkins netting a dramatic winner in stoppage time.
‘We talk about being ready,’ Kane added. ‘We’re a big team at being ready. When it matters, you might get five minutes, one minute, but you can make a difference, you can win us a tournament.
‘He’s been waiting, he’s been patient. What he did was outstanding and he deserves it.’
Watkins, meanwhile who has played a bit-part role in the tournament thus far was delighted to take his opportunity and reward the faith of his manager.
He said: ‘I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am today. I’m delighted.
‘I swear on my life that I said to Cole Palmer that he’s going to set me up today and I’m going to score. It’s the best feeling ever.
‘There’s been a lot of criticism but we’re in the final and that’s all that matters. We’ve got that bounce back factor. Going behind seems to kick us into gear. We’ve won on penalties and come from behind.’