England are through to the Euro 2020 final, and they’ll face Italy on Sunday thanks to a controversial, dramatic 2-1 win over Denmark in the semifinals in extra time. Wednesday’s match saw regulation end at 1-1 before Harry Kane scored a fortunate winner in the first half of extra time.
Raheem Sterling won a penalty with minimal contact from Mathias Jensen, with Kane taking the penalty in the 104th minute. His initial effort was saved well by Kasper Schmeichel, but the veteran forward put home the rebound to send Wembley Stadium into an uncontrollable frenzy. As a result, England will play in their first ever Euro final.
Though it was fairly even early on in this one, Denmark started the match slightly more confidently, while England were shaky, especially at the back. That shakiness lead to a solid look from a set piece for the Danes on the half-hour mark, though it appeared a little too far out to truly beat Jordan Pickford. Mikkel Damsgaard had other ideas, becoming the first player at the cup to score on England with an incredible, well-struck free kick that rocked the back of the net.
But to England’s credit, they responded with Raheem Sterling looking like the biggest threat. After being denied by Schmeichel from six yards out, he was able to get into position again moments later on a lovely cross from Bukayo Saka, which ended up in the back of the net after it hit Danish defender Simon Kjaer.
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The second half saw both teams with chances, none of them truly great and both goalkeepers did enough. Schmeichel made a brilliant save on Harry Maguire in the second half, pushing a powerful header just wide.
It was all England in the added periods as the Danish attack looked gassed and failed to threaten much at all, with England taking the victory somewhat comfortably in the end, though they missed a few chances to put it away.
The Euro 2020 final is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, with England hosting the match at Wembley Stadium.
