Rampant England homing in on history
Kane and co. blast past Ukraine to set up Wembley semifinal
ROME — England returns to Wembley two wins from a first European Championship title after recording its biggest ever victory at the tournament with a 4-0 demolition of Ukraine in the quarterfinals in Rome.
Having successfully negotiated a trip to Stadio Olimpico with a flourish, Gareth Southgate’s team will have the support of some 60,000 fans when it takes on Denmark in Wednesday’s last-four showdown.
Three years on from a bitter World Cup semifinal loss to Croatia, England has the chance to move on from that disappointment and end a long wait for silverware.
With the remainder of the competition to be played in London and COVID-19 restrictions severely limiting traveling fans, the ‘Three Lions’ are unlikely to get a better opportunity of adding to the 1966 World Cup win.
“Teams have to go on a bit of a journey and they have to go through some pain sometimes to progress,” said Southgate.
“We’ve had some great nights over the last four years but we’ve also had some painful ones and that’s definitely helped us prepare for another tournament.”
Unlike in Russia, where Harry Kane’s hot start soon became a distant memory as England entered the knockout phase, the Tottenham Hotspur striker looks to have rediscovered his form at the perfect moment.
While the attack clicked into gear on another famous night in the Italian capital, 24 years after a 0-0 draw here secured qualification for the 1998 World Cup, the defense has still yet to concede a goal.
“To come here, prepare differently, play in a historic stadium on a night that was beautiful for football with the weather, inspired the players,” said Southgate.
“They gave a fantastic performance, not only the players who started but the players who came into the game.”
“The recognition in moments like tonight was that we didn’t want to take a backwards step. We really wanted to grasp an opportunity. I thought the players were decisive and ruthless all night,” he added.
‘Right track’
England matched its four-goal total output from its four previous games in just 90 minutes as it ripped apart a vulnerable Ukraine backline.
Manchester United-bound Jadon Sancho looked sharp on his first start of Euro 2020, with Raheem Sterling again impressing, and Mason Mount showed no sign of rust after missing the previous two games due to COVID-19 protocols.
Such was the dominance of England’s display that Jack Grealish, who played a vital role coming off the bench in the victory over Germany, was kept in reserve along with Phil Foden.
“We are on the right track for sure, but we haven’t done nothing yet,” said Kane.
“We have got a massive semifinal to look forward to now at Wembley. What an occasion, what a moment to be involved in.
“We have a vision of where we want to be, we are taking it step by step and so far so good, so we will recover now, take the confidence from this game but look ahead to a tough team in Denmark.”
Denmark is riding a wave of emotion spurred by the near-tragedy of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their opening match.
The Scandinavian country is dreaming of a repeat of its 1992 triumph and could yet spoil England’s party, having beaten it 1-0 at Wembley last year in the Nations League.
“We haven’t done nothing yet,” Kane said. “We’ve got a semifinal at Wembley . ... What a moment for us as a team, as a nation. It’s there for us, it’s an opportunity for us. We have to grab it with both hands.”
Italy will face Spain in the other semifinal match on Tuesday, with the final this weekend also to be played at Wembley.
After failing to score in the group stage, Kane now has three goals in two matches after also scoring in the 2-0 win over Germany in the last 16.
“Sometimes as a striker it falls your way, sometimes it doesn’t,” Kane said. “That’s just part and parcel of being a striker.”
Kane won the Golden Boot with six goals at the 2018 World Cup, when England also reached the semifinals. He exited to a standing ovation at Stadio Olimpico when he came off midway through the second half.
Henderson’s goal — the Liverpool midfielder’s first for England after a decade with the national team — also came with a header as Ukraine’s defenders had no answers to England’s aerial prowess.
“We wanted to be better at attacking set plays,” Maguire said. “We hadn’t scored from one at this tournament and we’ve got two tonight.”
Southgate played down the significance of England’s home advantage against Denmark. “It’s an amazing game to be a part of. To be able to lead out a team at any game at Wembley is special, to have a semifinal is extra special,” he said.
“We won’t win the game because we’re at home. We’ve got to play well and we’ve got a fabulous opportunity. It’s a chance to make history. We’ve never been to a European Championship final, it’s not so much pressure but it’s another challenge for these players to take on.”
Get past Denmark and Italy or Spain would await on July 11 — fittingly one of Europe’s traditional powers as the final hurdle standing in the way of England glory.
Great Danes
The Danes, who have developed into a surprise contender after their tournament began with Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen suffering a cardiac arrest on the field, advanced to the Euro 2020 semifinals on Saturday by beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in Baku.
Following tributes to the recovering Eriksen from UEFA and fans — a giant No 10 shirt laid out on the field and a “For Christ10an” banner in the stands — Denmark quickly took control against the Czechs on a hot and humid night in the Azerbaijan capital.
Jens Stryger sent an outswinging corner in the fifth minute to Thomas Delaney, standing in space by the penalty spot. Delaney’s header went in past the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik.
Denmark doubled the lead just before halftime. Joakim Maehle crossed from the left with the outside of his right boot. The ball eluded Martin Braithwaite’s attempt at a header but Kasper Dolberg got past his marker and beat Vaclik in the 42nd.
“What we’ve been through, it’s hard to describe. It wasn’t our best game but maybe it was about that time that we struggle,” Delaney said. “We have a great atmosphere within the team, so why not take the next step again?”
The place in the semifinals is the farthest Denmark has progressed at a major tournament since winning the European title in 1992.
“We make history that we achieved the semifinal now,” Stryger said. “It’s been many, many years ago since Denmark was there . ... We know Denmark is going crazy right now.”