Jude Bellingham sealed a triumphant return to Dortmund, insisting that England’s potential to advance to the Euro 2024 final was molded by early tournament defeats.
The 21-year-old spent three years with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga before joining Real Madrid in a lucrative contract last year.
And the midfielder believes that the criticism they received in the group stage, followed by a fortunate escape against Slovakia in the last 16, has made them more prepared to deal with the tournament’s final stretch.
Bellingham told ITV: “To be back here at this club that helped shape me into the man and player I am, I’m really appreciative, so it’s really good to do it here in that sense; it’s special, but more importantly, it’s essential to win.
“Finding a way for anyone’s character, mentality, or attitude to win us the game if given the opportunity, and Ollie came on today and did just that, and I’m grateful because I don’t know if I had another half-hour in me.
“I believe it stems from failure, from the first few games that did not go well. When you don’t play well, there will be criticism; it’s crucial that you generate that fire, that resilience, and recognize that you can improve.
“In these games we come together like no other team and we’ve done it again.”
For much of the encounter, England appeared to be a different team than the one that labored through the group stages, following a sluggish opening win over Serbia with draws against Denmark and Slovenia.
And it was Bellingham’s last-gasp overhead kick that lifted his team out of a larger hole in their last-16 meeting with Slovakia, tying the game and setting up an extra period triumph.
They improved marginally again against Switzerland in the final eight, and when asked if England was now playing with more freedom, Bellingham replied, “I believe time does it as well. These moments are wonderful because they bring us together as a team, as a family, because we have something in common: staying here another day means we are going through these experiences together, and as a result, you become stronger.
“These events undoubtedly strengthen us and bring us closer together, which we will carry into the final.
“(Spain) have looked fantastic, but this is a one-off game, and anything can happen. We know our weapons, we’ll conduct proper analysis, and we’ll sit down and observe them to better understand how they play. A great squad with their own weapons, it will be intriguing to compete with them.”
Harry Kane’s first-half penalty propelled England back into the game, and he can now look forward to becoming the first England captain to lead his team out in a major final on foreign territory on Sunday.
Kane was replaced by Watkins, who watched from the bench as the Aston Villa player, a surprise inclusion in the team for some, snatched his chance to secure England’s spot in back-to-back finals.
Kane told ITV: “History was achieved, an incredible feat. I am very proud of every single player, every single staff person, and everyone.
“It’s been a difficult competition, but to accomplish what we’ve done away from home is a unique experience. There’s one more remaining, and we need to obtain it before Sunday.
“We discuss being ready. We place a high value on being ready when it matters. You may only have five minutes or one minute, but you have the ability to make a difference and win the event. Ollie has been patient, but what a conclusion! I’m overjoyed. He deserves it, and we’ll need everyone again on Sunday.