England have broken through their semifinal ceiling for the first time courtesy of a 2-1 win against Denmark in extra-time at the end of another spell-binding Euro 2020 fixture.
A title match awaits for the first time in 55 years. Harry Kane converted the rebound after his initial penalty was saved in the 104th minute to give England a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Denmark in extra time.
On a night to remember in front of almost 60,000 fans, most of them delirious with joy, England reached the European Championship final for the first time, though they had to come from behind as a Simon kjaer own goal cancelled out Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb free kick for the Danes in the first half.
It was a tough way for Denmark to end their emotional ride from the fear and distress of Christian Eriksen’s opening game collapse to their first semi-final since their shock Euro 92 win, but their exhausted players left Wembley with socks rolled down but heads held high.
Despite all the pressure and relentless passing and probing around the box, England struggled to carve out a clear opening and the match rolled into extra time. The extra 30 minutes became a virtual attack v defence exercise, as Schmeichel saved again from Kane and Jack Grealish.
Sterling continued to drive into the box and was eventually brought down by Joakim Maehle for the VAR-reviewed penalty that Kane stuck poorly and Schmeichel blocked, only for the captain to tuck home the rebound.
Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel had provided the heroics throughout the 120 minutes and saved Kane’s penalty, but the England captain pounced on the rebound to drive home the winner.
England will return on Sunday, 55 years after lifting the World Cup there, but they did it the hard way but credit to Denmark. We dug deep and we got there when it mattered. We reacted really well – we’re in a final at home, what a feeling,” Kane said after the game. “We know it’s going to be a very tough game against Italy we’ve had a great tournament so far. One more game to go at home and we can’t wait.”
