Thanks in no small part to former Exeter City striker Ollie Watkins, England will be heading into a second successive UEFA European Championship finals.
Watkins' late strike in the semi-final against the Netherlands ensured that Gareth Southgate's Three Lions will be following up their Euro 2020 final appearance against Italy with a date with Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
Xavi Simons had given the Dutch the lead in the first half before Harry Kane equalised with a penalty that was awarded after the intervention of VAR, which ruled that Kane had been fouled by Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries.
Then, just when the match appeared to be heading towards extra time, Watkins combined with fellow sub Cole Palmer and found the back of the net with a shot on the turn to seal England's place in the final.
Watkins' late effort drew certain similarities with a goal he once scored for the Grecians on April 2, 2016, which helped them to defeat Plymouth Argyle in a Devon Derby at St James Park.
Like England, City were trailing 1-0 after Jamille Matt gave the Pilgrims the lead before Watkins equalised in the 80th minute. He then struck again in injury time with a long range strike which found the top corner and seal all three points and a league double over Argyle.
At the time, you couldn't thought it couldn't have been much better for Watkins, but his subsequent career with Brentford, Aston Villa and now England have seen him reach new heights. However, scoring the winner in a Devon Derby in those circumstances eight years ago would surely have played its part in helping him along the way.
