What Cole Palmer did against the Netherlands that no player in European Championship history has done before

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Like he did for Chelsea last season, Cole Palmer is making an impact for England at Euro 2024.

Cole Palmer is actually yet to start a game for England at the European Championship.

However, without the Chelsea attacker, they may not be in Sunday’s final.

It was Palmer who set up Ollie Watkins’ goal against the Netherlands, which made the score 2-1 to England and sent Gareth Southgate’s men to Berlin, where they will face Spain.

Despite only being 22 years of age, Palmer has already developed into quite the playmaker. For Chelsea last season, he recorded 15 assists in 45 games. Before the Netherlands match, Southgate highlighted Palmer’s impact when coming on from off the bench.

Cole Palmer’s achievement against the Netherlands

Watkins’ goal came in the 90th minute, so it is fair to say that England left it very late.

Again, it was Palmer who set up the Aston Villa striker, and by doing so, he has made a small bit of history.

According to Squawka, Palmer is the first substitute to assist a 90th-minute winner in a European Championship knockout tie.

It is probably not the kind of feat that everyone is going to remember, but the former Manchester City player can still be proud.

After all, Palmer was not even a full England international before the 2023/24 season started. He is now one game away from becoming a European champion.

• READ MORE: What Romeo Lavia posted on social media just before Cole Palmer’s assist for England at Euro 2024

Cole Palmer and Ollie Watkins’ stats for Chelsea and Aston Villa

Both Palmer and Watkins have been bench players for England at the Euros, but at Chelsea and Villa respectively, they are one of the first names on the team sheet.

The numbers that the England duo put up in the Premier League last term were incredible.

Palmer recorded 33 goal contributions, while Watkins managed one fewer.

To have that on the bench shows how much quality this England squad possesses. Considering that and the teams they faced, getting to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 really had to be the bare minimum for Southgate.

• READ MORE: Who is Cole Palmer? Profile, family, transfer, celebration and more