Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel had a laser pointer shone at his face by an unknown spectator during Denmark’s Euro 2020 semi-final match against England. The incident happened in the extra time, moments before Three Lions%u2019 skipper Harry Kane stepped up to take a penalty. Denmark lost the match 2-1 after 120 minutes of play.  

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The clash at the Wembley Stadium saw the intimidating English crowd boo the opponent team all through the game. The referee too made some controversial calls when he decided that a second ball on the field was not interfering between the play. Raheem Sterling%u2019s fall – deemed intentional – to claim the match-winning penalty came up as another topic of debate.  

However, the green laser flashing across Schmeichel%u2019s face as he prepared to face Kane%u2019s extra-time penalty might have been the incident that crossed the line. Although the goalkeeper did not appear to be aware of the attempted distraction and saved the penalty before Kane scored on a rebound, ITV presenter Mark Chapman condemned the incident describing the unknown perpetrator as an idiot.

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%u201COne thing we have spotted just as Harry Kane took the penalty and which is completely unacceptable and ridiculous%u2026look, someone%u2019s got a laser pen in the stands. Whoever they are they%u2019re an idiot, him or her, and we can just hope that it didn%u2019t put Kasper Schmeichel off because it%u2019s stupid and he doesn%u2019t deserve that.,%u201D Chapman said.

Post-match Denmark%u2019s manager Kasper Hjulmand was furious about the penalty decision.

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He said, “We’re very, very disappointed, and it’s hard for me to talk about. Maybe it will be easier for me to say how I feel in a few days. We’re just very disappointed that we were so close to the final. We’re disappointed it was decided that way… it was a penalty that shouldn’t have been a penalty, and that annoys me right now. We’re disappointed, we’re very disappointed.%u201D

“It’s one thing to lose a game, that happens, but losing this way is just a disappointment because these guys have fought a lot. It’s bitter, I think we have to digest this before we can describe these feelings, but it’s a bitter way to leave a tournament,%u201D Hjulmand added.