ENGLAND FIND A BIT EXTRA TO REACH FIRST MAJOR FINAL FOR 55 YEARS
HARRY Kane propelled England to just their second major tournament final as Gareth Southgate’s men secured an extra-time win against Denmark to set-up Sunday’s shot at European Championship glory.
After topping their group, beating Germany and swatting aside Ukraine, this semi-final victory gives the Three Lions a chance to follow in the footsteps of the triumphant 1966 World Cup side by lifting silverware at Wembley.
Italy lie in wait after a tense, pulsating semi-final under the arch last night, when Simon Kjaer’s own goal cancelled out a superb Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick before Kane sealed a 2-1 extra-time win after his penalty was saved.
The final whistle sparked pandemonium in the ground and across the nation as dreams of football coming home edged closer to reality, 25 years on from Southgate’s penalty miss at this stage of the competition against Germany.
England made a start as electric as the atmosphere at Wembley, but Damsgaard’s stunning 25-yard free-kick silenced the home support as the 21-year-old continued to shine in place of the sadly absent Christian Eriksen.
It was the first goal England had conceded during an unusually straightforward summer, but they responded well to the setback and Kjaer turned teenager Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own goal under pressure from Raheem Sterling.
Kasper Schmeichel had superbly denied the latter moments earlier and the goalkeeper shone throughout a second half in which the video assistant referee cleared a Christian Norgaard challenge on Kane in the box.
The Denmark goalkeeper continued to impress in extra-time but could not stop England progressing to the final, with Kane slotting home after the Leicester man saved his initial spot-kick after Sterling was fouled.
Early on, Sterling was close to latching on to Kane’s fine low cross as the hosts dominated possession.
Sterling continued his lively start when he cut inside but his weak shot rolled straight to Schmeichel after 13 minutes.
Kane then collected Kyle WalkKalvin er’s pass and his snap-shot from 20 yards sailed over.
Denmark settled after England’s fast start and Damsgaard curled wide after 25 minutes as the visitors began to threaten.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford set a new all-time national record during the first half having gone 721 minutes without conceding a goal, surpassing the previous best set by Gordon Banks, which included the first four games of the 1966 World Cup.
England fell behind after 30 minutes when Damsgaard curled in a brilliant 25-yard free kick after Luke Shaw fouled Andreas Christensen. England were behind for just nine minutes, though, as they levelled thanks to a Kjaer own goal. Saka was sent free on the right and his low cross was turned into his own net by Kjaer from close range with Sterling ready to pounce.
Harry Maguire almost gave England the lead 10 minutes after the break but his header was clawed away by Schmeichel.
England wanted a penalty when Kane tumbled in the box under Christian Norgaard’s challenge but, after a VAR check, their appeals were turned down.
Phillips shot over and Maguire saw a header saved during six minutes of stoppage-time, but Denmark held firm and the game went to extra time.
Schmeichel continued to deny England and, just three minutes into extra time produced a fine one-handed save to turn away Kane’s low angled effort.
England went ahead from the penalty spot as Kane completed the comeback after Sterling was fouled in the box. The striker’s penalty was saved by Schmeichel but he converted the rebound to give England the advantage.