Euro 2020: England Reaches Final for the First Time in History

Euro 2020: Millions of England fans are out in the streets celebrating their country’s first ever presence in a Euro final. England was the dominating force throughout the majority of the game and though Denmark opened the score with a free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard, an own-goal from Simon Kjaer and another from Harry Kane turned the game around and sent England through to their first major final since the World Cup of 1966. They will face Italy on Sunday, July 7th at 3pmET for the Euro 2020 trophy.

64.950 fans were lucky enough to find a seat in the Wembley stadium, a record breaking number this championship.

England Through to the Euro 2020 Final

First Half:

With Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling starting on top, England seemed like they walked out of the changing room with one thought in mind: a goal in the opening minutes to remove the pressure of being the favorite.

Denmark was able to push away any suspicion of a chance by sticking to their plan: Stay calm, drop the tempo of the game and hopefully find a way to move up the field.

It was in the 30th minute of the game that Mikkel Damsgaard planted the ball in the ground, took a few steps back and with a glorious free-kick beat England’s No1 Jordan Pickford (1-0). It was the first goal from a free-kick in the Euro and it was an absolute stunner.

In the 38th minute came England’s attacking response with Harry Kane from the right finding Raheem Sterling in the box and though he had only the keeper to beat, Kasper Schmeichel produced the save of the tournament by blocking his shot wide.

The following minute though, Harry Kane with a wonderful through ball, found Arsenal’s 19-year-old winger Bukayo Saka who passed the ball in the box from the right and though Raheem Sterling was there to tap it in, defender Simon Kjaer tackled it first but unfortunately for him, it landed in his own net (1-1).

Second Half:

Kasper Schmeichel showed his class again in the 55th minute, tipping out Harry Maguire’s header after a free-kick cross by Mason Mount from the right side of the box.

England dominated the rest of the half but besides dangerous crosses and shots outside the box, nothing really threatened the Danish defense whose performance was the least outstanding. As a result, the finalist would be determined in the extra-time or penalties.

Extra-Time:

In the opening minutes of extra-time, it was Harry Kane once again who carried the ball to the box and pulled the trigger but Kasper Schmeichel was there again with his 6th save up to that point.

In the 98th minute it was late substitute Jack Grealish who belted one from outside the box but again Kasper Schmeichel said no, blocking the ball out. Following the save, Raheem Sterling also had a chance but his shot ended in a fan’s hands.

The Manchester City winger was one of the liveliest players in the game and as such, four minutes before the end of the first half of extra-time, he carried the ball with finesse, going through four defenders before Jannik Vestergaard took him down in the box and causing Dutch referee Danny Makkelie to blow the whistle for a penalty kick.

Harry Kane took to the spot and aimed to the right but Kasper Schmeichel blocked it again! In the follow-up though, the former Tottenham striker tap the ball to the left, not leaving any time to the keeper to get up and save it again. 2-1 for England.

The remaining minutes saw no more drama. Denmark had no more to give and England kept the lead at ease.