NAIL-BITING FINAL AFTER IN
WIN ENGLAND REACH A MAJOR FINAL AFTER 55 YEARS
LONDON, JULY 8
It was sheer jubilation as ecstatic England fans celebrated late into the night, hailing England’s 2-1 victory over Denmark in the Euro 2020 semifinal. It was an unbearably tense and breathless performance in front of a delirious crowd of 67,500 which saw England into a major tournament’s final for the first time since winning the World Cup 55 years ago.
England manager, Gareth Southgate, praised his opponents: “Denmark have had an incredible tournament I have to give them huge credit. They made it difficult for us tonight, they pressed us so well and scored a fabulous goal. But on the balance of play when you look at the number of saves you force a goalkeeper to make and long periods of the game where I felt we were the biggest threat I think we deserved the win. To share that with everybody is very special.”
He added: “I felt calm in the lead up to the game because I felt the players after what they have gone through in the last few years were ready. We talked about it and they stayed calm. We found a way to win, we found the spaces further forward, we got into their half, we were a threat all night. We managed to create good openings, we thought the goalkeeper for them had a fantastic game, he is a top goalkeeper but we found a way to win.”
The game began at a ferocious pace, every time England pressed hard Denmark responded equally. This went on throughout the first half. England did miss an early chance in the 13th minute when Raheem Sterling’s shot from a pass by Harry Kane was well saved by Casper Schmeichel.
Thereafter Denmark seemed to dominate for about 20 minutes or so. In the 25th minute Denmark should have scored when Mikkel Damsgaard cut inside from the left but shot just wide.
Five minutes later he gave his side the lead. Mason Mount gave away a free kick and following that Luke Shaw fouled Andreas Christensen for another free kick which Damsgaard took from 25 yards. It was powerfully struck over the England wall and dipped under the crossbar as it moved towards the corner.
It didn’t take long for England to hit back. In the 39th minute, just after Schmeichel had superbly saved from Sterling, Harry Kane dropped back and passed to Bukayo Saka whose cross, aimed for Sterling, hit Simon Kjaer and went into the net. Kjaer was under pressure with Sterling on him who would have scored had Kjaer left the ball. The equaliser sent Wembley into ruptures.
England were dominant in the last 20 minutes of normal time before the game moved into extra time. A minute before the end of the first period of extra time Sterling went on a darting run only to be fouled by Joakim Maehle.
The resulting penalty could be argued by some as harsh. Kane stepped up for it and Schmeichel made a diving save. For a split second the stadium noise subsided but as the England captain followed up, tapping the rebound into the net, Wembley just erupted.
I felt calm in the lead up to the game because I felt the players after what they have gone through in the last few years were ready. We talked about it and they stayed calm
GARETH SOUTHGATE England manager