Euro 2020: England beat Denmark 2-1 to enter their first major tournament final in 55 years
The English captain Harry Kane scored the winning goal from the rebound of the saved penalty to defeat Denmark in extra time as England entered the Euro 2020 final with a 2-1 margin after a controversial finish. This will be England’s first major final after their triumph in the 1966 World Cup.
England started strong with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw constantly pressuring the Danish Defence. Just 10 minutes into the game, Kane sets up with a near-perfect cross for Sterling who misses the chance by mere inches. However, at the midway point of the first half, Denmark started taking control of the game.
Jordan Pickford, who has set the record of most minutes without conceding a goal for an English keeper, couldn’t prolong his record minutes as the Danes took the lead in the 30th minute thanks to a free-kick goal from midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard. This was the first direct free-kick goal of Euro 2020. Damsgaard is also the first player to score against England in the tournament. But in the space of nine minutes, England equalised with an own goal. Bukayo Saka opened up the Danish defence from the right and crossed the ball to Sterling. Denmark’s central defender Simon Kjaer tried clearing the ball but scored the own goal. The half ended at 1-1.
Throughout the second half, both keepers Kasper Schmeichel and Jordan Pickford made incredible saves continuing the deadlock. England was a superior team in the second half as the Danes looked exhausted. England’s deep bench was another reason for their dominance. The English manager, Gareth Southgate, brought on star midfielder, Jack Grealish in the 72nd minute. The tussle continued as no team could convert any chances into goals resulting in extra time.
After 14 exhilarating minutes of football in extra time, England was given a controversial penalty at the 104th minute. Raheem Sterling went down after a tackle by Joakim Maehle. Harry Kane steps up to the mark, shoots and misses the penalty but scores the goal on the rebound.
The Danish players were disdained by the call. Images were circulating of another football being present on the ground while the penalty was given. Another controversy emerged as there was a laser pointed at Kasper Schmeichel’s face as he was getting ready for the penalty.
Amidst chaos and controversy, England has entered its first final of a major tournament since the 1966 world cup. It will be a tough final against the formidable Italian side on Sunday, July 11. The match guarantees to be an intense contest between the most complete sides of the tournaments.