England overcome Denmark to reach Euro 2020 final

England come from behind and will face Italy in the Euro 2020 final

England do just enough to get past Denmark in extra time and booked themselves a spot in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.

It wasn’t exactly a classic England performance as Denmark actually went ahead thanks to a free kick goal by Mikkel Damsgaard. The goal was the first one England had conceded in Euro 2020 as well as the tournament’s first direct free-kick goal.

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But as they’ve proved all tournament long, they stepped up when necessary.

Going a goal down seemed to be the wake-up call the team needed as they managed to take control of the game following the goal and looked to be only a matter of time before they equalized.

Raheem Sterling had a point blank shot saved by Kasper Schmeichel before England tied the game thanks to an own goal by Simon Kjær in the 39th minute. If he hadn’t put it into the back of his own net, Sterling would have been there to tie it nonetheless.

"“It was a top performance,” Sterling said. “We had to dig deep. It was the first time we conceded but we responded well and showed good spirit. We knew it would be difficult. We stayed patient, and we knew with the legs and aggressiveness we have in the team that we’d be OK.”Source: UEFA"

The second half followed a similar script with England trying to get a second but being unable to get past the Danish defense. When they did, they found themselves being denied by Schmeichel.

Perhaps the turning point in the game came midway through the half when Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand made three substitutions all at once. He took out Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg and Jens Stryger Larsen. Those who came in were largely ineffective.

Still, the Danes held tough and managed to take the game into extra time. However, they looked exhausted and it was only a matter of time before England took advantage of their tiredness.

In what will go down as a controversial decision, Sterling was brought down in the 102nd minute of the first half of extra time. On replay, there didn’t seem to be much, if any, contact. But it went to a VAR review where the decision was upheld.

Harry Kane stepped up to take the penalty only to see it saved by Schmeichel. But the rebound fell right back to the Tottenham striker who would not be denied a second time. England got their much-awaited goal to go on top.

"We dug deep and we got there when it mattered,” Kane said after the match. “We reacted really well. We’re in a final at home, what a feeling. 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.”Source: UEFA"

To make matters worse for Denmark, Mathias Jensen could not continue so the Danes played the last 15 minutes a man down. England took control of the possession and stifled any attempts of a comeback.

England may have had some calls go their way but they were the better team throughout the game. Denmark will feel hard done by the result but they did well to reach the semifinals considering everything they had to go through.

Gareth Southgate and his side finally get over the hump and are in a final of a major tournament for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.

England will have another obstacle to overcome as their opponent for the final on Sunday at Wembley will be Italy. For the first time in Euro 2020, England will be heading into a game as the underdogs.