England’s Three Lions defeated Denmark in the second Euro 2020 semifinal at Wembley Stadium by two goals to one after a battling performance over 120 minutes against the tournament’s surprise package.
Having kept five consecutive clean sheets in the first five matches of the tournament, England’s rearguard was finally breached in spectacular fashion. Luke Shaw fouled Andreas Christensen about 30 yards from goal and 21-year-old Danish talent Mikkel Damsgaard sent home a peach of a freekick to give the Danes the lead in the 30th minute. Denmark’s lead did not last long as England forced an equaliser just nine minutes later as Denmark captain Simon Kjaer put the ball into his net under pressure from Raheem Sterling. From this point, it was all England as the home side tried to unlock a stubborn Denmark backline. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was in the form of his life as he made save after save to thwart England’s attackers.
After the conclusion of the regular 90 minutes, the game went to extra time. The English onslaught continued throughout the first period of extra time, and they were finally rewarded in contentious fashion as Raheem Sterling went down in the box following what seemed like minimal contact from Joakim Maehle, and the referee consulted VAR and awarded a penalty. England’s captain Harry Kane stepped up and took a poor penalty which Schmeichel saved but pushed right back to Kane, who had the simplest of tasks as he side-footed the ball into an unguarded net. England held on to see out the game and confirm their qualification for the final.
England will now face Italy in the final of Euro 2020 on July 11th in what is their first-ever European Championship final and their first final in a major tournament since 1966.
