From Manchester United to Arsenal. Every club in English football enjoyed another memorable moment as England reached the final of the Euros once again.
Throughout the tournament, many have been critical of England and their style of play under Gareth Southgate.
But no one can argue that they weren’t entertained when Ollie Watkins scored a last-minute winner to help England beat the Netherlands and reach the final of Euro 2024 – Spain await them in Berlin on Sunday.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice started the game, alongside Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning star Jude Bellingham and Manchester United’s rising kid, Kobbie Mainoo.
You could argue that this was England’s best performance of the tournament so far, especially in the first half, even if they went into the break level at 1-1.
At the start of the tournament, Manchester United’s academy product wasn’t selected from the get-go because Trent Alexander-Arnold was favoured and then Conor Gallagher.
Perhaps, just perhaps, Southgate should have been braver and selected Mainoo from the get-go because he is working very well alongside two experienced heads.
Either way, given how England won, by scoring a last-minute winner, you can imagine the scenes and celebrations at the full-time whistle.
Rice took to Instagram to express his delight, but what Manchester United fans will love is the Arsenal man had Mainoo beside and they both had huge smiles on their faces.
The Arsenal midfielder was sure to mention Mainoo in his post, with the following message.
England beat the Netherlands to reach Euro 2024 final
“Back-to-back finals,” wrote Rice. “1 to go with the boy @kobbie.”
Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield for England
It has just worked and it’s something Southgate should have begun with a lot earlier. For whatever reason, he didn’t have faith in Mainoo as others do.
Usually, Arsenal and Manchester United fans would bicker with one another as to who is better between their players.
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But they must appreciate how well they are working in midfield now, although, Rice was at fault for the Dutch opening the scoring because he was dispossessed in his own defensive third before Xavi Simons rifled the ball into the top corner.
That all seems a long, long way now because England are, once again, in the final of a major tournament and now they will be aiming to put the horror show of Euro 2020 behind them by winning silverware for the first time in generations and generations.
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