England overcame
the Danish challenge to book their place in the summit clash of the Euro 2020
against Italy as a Harry Kane strike put the game to bed in extra time.
England will play in a Euro final for the first time, their last best finish being a defeat to Germany in Euro 96.
The game
was decided in extra-time after both teams remained deadlocked at 1-1 in the
regulation time. Mikkel Damsgaard gave Denmark the lead after half an hour of
play in the first half but this lead was short-lived as England drew level
through a Simon Kjaer own goal.
Defeat ends Denmark’s fairytale run to the semi-finals, the furthest they have been at a tournament since winning Euro 92.
The Danes’ tournament began in nearly tragic circumstances when star midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in their opening game against Finland.
Kasper Hjulmand’s men have since ridden an emotional wave and played plenty of slick football in sticking four goals past Russia and Wales on their way to the semi-finals.
However, England’s huge advantage in having six of their seven matches on home soil has paid off as they were the physically fresher side in the latter stages.
England were on a national record run of seven consecutive clean sheets but were finally breached in spectacular fashion by Damsgaard’s free-kick that flew into the top corner.
England, who
are chasing their first major trophy since their 1966 FIFA World cup win, drew level when Kane freed Bukayo Saka down the right and Kjaer turned into his own net under pressure from Sterling..
After the
equalizer, courtesy the Danish captain, it was goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel who
stood like a rock against a relentless English attack and kept them at bay at least till almost the half time of extra time.
It was just
before the end of the first half of extra-time that the English skipper Kane
breached Schmichael’s fort as he slotted the ball home past the Leicester City
captain.
England
will take on former World champions Italy in the final of the tournament on
July 11.
