27 March,2021 06:31 AM IST | London | AFP
England’s Ollie Watkins (right) celebrates his goal v San Marino on Thursday. Pic/Getty Images
Gareth Southgate hailed Ollie Watkins's fairytale England debut after the Aston Villa striker scored in a 5-0 win against San Marino in Thursday's opening World Cup qualifier.
Just four years ago, Watkins was playing in English football's fourth tier with Exeter. Watkins, 25, has enjoyed a meteoric rise since then, joining Brentford in 2017 before moving to Villa last year after finishing as top scorer in the Championship.
He has scored 12 times in his first campaign with the Premier League club, earning a maiden England call-up and a debut against minnows San Marino at Wembley.
With England four goals up thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brace, a first international goal for James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling's strike, Watkins came on after 63 minutes.
Set up by Phil Foden's pass, Watkins scored with his first shot in an England shirt with a low finish.
Watkins' beaming face and the jubilant celebrations of his teammates underlined what a special moment it was for a player who has had to fight his way to the top.
England boss Southgate recognised the significance of the moment, saying: "The first thing you saw was the reaction from the rest of the team. That shows you how together they are. They know what it means for him. He's settled in really quickly with the group. He's a really humble boy and it was nice to be able to give him half an hour or so. For him to get a goal is fairytale isn't it?"
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