Euro 2020: Harry Kane says England got the ‘job done’ in semi-final

England will take on Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, after Gareth Southgate’s team earned an extra-time win against Denmark last night to send a nation into ecstatic celebration.

England fell behind to a terrific Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick on the half-hour mark at Wembley, before Raheem Sterling forced a Simon Kjaer own goal nine minutes later. Neither side could find a winner in the second half, but on the cusp of half-time in extra time, Sterling was deemed to have been fouled in the Danes’ penalty area. England captain Harry Kane saw his spot-kick saved by Kasper Schmeichel but scored the rebound, and that goal proved decisive.

It ended England’s 55-year wait to compete in a final at a major tournament. The Three Lions’ only previous final appearance came at the 1966 World Cup, also on home soil, marking the sole trophy the nation has ever won.

If Southgate’s players are to win silverware when they return to Wembley on Sunday, they will need to defeat an Italy side that have arguably been team of the tournament so far this summer. Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri beat Spain on penalties in the semi-finals, having ousted the world’s No 1-ranked team Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Follow all the reaction to England vs Denmark plus all the build-up to Sunday’s Euro 2020 final below.

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Euro 2020: Saka exposes Vestergaard

One change that Southgate made last night was bringing back Bukayo Saka for Jadon Sancho. It worked to perfection.

As we saw from the first goal, Saka ran in behind and caused Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard problems all night.

Here’s how the utilisation of Arsenal’s winger exposed the Dane:

Omar Garrick8 July 2021 09:23

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Euro 2020: Southgate shows clear head with Jack Grealish to get England over the line

What last night displayed was the cool, calm and collected personality Southgate has. What’s more, is that he has instilled this into his players.

The spirit of togetherness was illustrated by one little exchange after the game. Jack Grealish is one of a number of players who could have been slightly put out, given how he was put on, and then taken off.

There are some in football who consider that a huge insult, even if that would never have been the case with Southgate. There is still the danger a player reacts in the wrong way, but not here.

When Southgate went to explain his decision to Grealish, the forward had the best response possible. “Gaffer, it doesn’t matter. I’m not bothered. We’ve got to the final!”

Read more here:

Omar Garrick8 July 2021 09:16

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Euro 2020: Harry Maguire delivers again

What a night at Wembley it was!

So many joyous scenes and loads of great performers, but Harry Maguire once again delivered on the pitch. He was brilliant at the back for England, who’ve still yet to concede an open goal.

His name was getting cheered by so many inside the stadium, and credit to him. He’s now put himself in the history books.

Read more here:

Omar Garrick8 July 2021 09:11

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Euro 2020: What it was like to be at Wembley for England vs Denmark

Some of you will have been lucky enough to have been at Wembley Stadium last night. For anyone who wasn’t, here’s our Senior Football Correspondent, Melissa Reddy, on what the experience was like:

“Long before the steel arch shot into view, you could pinpoint Wembley’s exact location by the sound emanating from the stadium, the feeling of ecstasy lining its path.

“The straightforward 15-minute walk from the Central train station did not require any signage. Follow the white shirts, follow the vibes, follow the party, follow the noise and you had arrived at your destination.

“There was an ocean of happiness. Wave after wave of smiles and song, arms in the air and scarves swirling, warm beer showers and the haze of red and white smoke. The area surrounding Boxpark was inaccessible; supporters as far as the eye could see, no piece of unoccupied ground visible.

“It was a football carnival outside, fitting as a primer for the European Championship semi-final between England and Denmark.”

Full article here:

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 09:03

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Euro 2020: Thank you, Gareth Southgate

Our Northern Football Correspondent, Mark Critchley, was at Wembley Stadium last night for England’s victory over Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

Here is an excerpt from Mark’s piece:

“England have reached their first-ever European Championship final by mistake.

“What a mistake, though, when the Football Association tripped, fell and landed on Gareth Southgate, already the most honourable, upstanding and fundamentally decent human being in the country before today, but now the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to reach a major tournament final, 55 years ago.

“The right man at the right time for all the wrong reasons, achieving his finest hour yet on a quite spectacular occasion.”

This one is well worth a read:

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:47

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Euro 2020: Southgate vs Grealish? No chance

Gareth Southgate has made numerous bold decisions since the Euros started last month.

Almost every single one has been vindicated, including the most recent: last night’s call to bring on Jack Grealish against Denmark before taking him off in extra time.

The midfielder and Aston Villa captain replaced Bukayo Saka in the second half of the semi-final, only to be taken off for defender Kieran Trippier in extra time. It helped Southgate to switch to a back five, matching Denmark.

Grealish at first looked frustrated at being substituted, but when Southgate went to explain the decision to his player at full-time, the midfielder had the best response possible.

“Gaffer, it doesn’t matter. I’m not bothered. We’ve got to the final!”

More here from Miguel Delaney:

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:43

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Euro 2020: England into first final for 55 years

Much is made of England’s footballing history – at domestic level, at international level.

The reality is that the Three Lions have only ever won one trophy, at the 1966 World Cup.

That was – until Euro 2020 – their sole appearance in a final at a major tournament.

Thirty years of hurt have turned into 55, but England are now one victory away from adding a second trophy to that ‘66 triumph.

As in 1966, this final will take place at Wembley Stadium. Then it was West Germany, now it is Italy who stand between England and glory.

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:38

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Euro 2020: Italy await for England in Wembley final

A reminder that Italy will be the team lining up against Gareth Southgate’s players at Wembley Stadium in Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.

Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri edged Spain on penalties in Monday’s semi-final to complete an impressive run to the showpiece match.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho slotted home a stone-cold spot-kick in the shootout against Spain to put his team within one game of the trophy.

Who will win this Sunday? Is football coming home? Or is it going to Rome?

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:29

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Euro 2020: England into final with extra-time win against Denmark

Here is our Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, with his report from Wembley Stadium last night.

An excerpt for you:

“England, at last, go the distance. They finally have plans for final day, stay at Wembley, dream away.

“Their most enthralling and difficult game of the tournament fittingly sets up the country’s biggest day in 55 years. England are at last back in a final, for the first time since 1966, and a day where the echoes of that date will be all around.

“That’s the exhilarating prospect that lies in wait, against a fine Italian team. It is set up to be final for the ages, and just may be England’s greatest day.”

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:25

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Euro 2020: Welcome!

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s Euro 2020 news.

Naturally, we’ll have plenty of reaction to England’s historic victory over Denmark, a win that has booked Gareth Southgate’s side a spot in Sunday’s final against Italy.

We’ll have all the early build-up to that match, too, which marks England’s first final since the victorious 1966 World Cup final appearance, and – like that game – it will take place at Wembley Stadium.

Wembley also hosted both semi-finals, where England required extra time to seal their comeback win against the Danes, and Italy edged Spain on penalties one night prior.

Alex Pattle8 July 2021 08:21

Source: The Independent

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