England reached their first ever European Championship final yesterday with a 2-1 come from behind win after extra time over Denmark to set up a final clash with Italy, who beat Spain on penalties to progressed to the final, on Tuesday.
Harry Kane and England celebrate what proved the winner over Denmark. Photo Credits: Facebook/ UEFA EURO 2020
It will be England against Spain in the final of this edition of the European Championship, after both sides see off their respective opponents to set up a final meeting on Sunday.
Spain and Italy went head to head in the first semi final on Tuesday night and Juventus forward, Federico Chiesa put Italy in front with a curling effort on the stroke of the hour mark, after a first half, where Spain had dominated ended in a stalemate.
Chiesa’s goal mean Italy become the second side in European Championship history to have as many as five different players score 2+ goals at a single edition of the competition, with Chiesa, Pessina, Insigne, Immobile and Locatelli all scoring more than once. France in 2000 are the first side to do so.
Either side were presented with good chances, one to double their lead while the other to restore parity but none was able to capitalize until 10 minutes from the end of normal time, when Alvaro Morata was teed up to wrong foot Gianluigi Donnarouma in the Italy goal, after he had been teed up by Dani Olmo, who was very impressive on the night.
Alvaro Morata calmly beat Donnarouma for Spain’s leveler. Photo Credits: Facebook/ UEFA EURO 2020
The goal is Alvaro Morata’s sixth in the European Championship, taking him one above Fernando Torres and becoming Spain’s top scorer in the tournament history.
Neither side could produce more goals and the game went into extra time and eventually, to penalties. Manuel Locatelli was Italy’s first taker and his effort was calmly saved by Unai Simon, but Dani Olmo was unable to capitalize for Spain, as he got too much on his kick, which sailed over the crossbar.
All of the other takers found the back of the net until Spain’s fourth taker, Alvaro Morata saw his effort saved by Gianluigi Donnarouma, who dived to his left and comfortably cover the powerless kick from the man who equalized for Spain.
Jorginho scored the decisive penalty, sending Unai Simon the wrong was as Italy progressed to the European Championship final for the second time in the last three editions.
Italy progressed to reached their 10th major tournament final (World Cup/Euros) – only Germany (14) have participated in more major tournament finals amongst European nations than Italy, while Spain, for the first time have failed to reach a final, of a major tournament for the first time ever, when they have played in the semi final.
Yesterday, England took on Denmark in Wembley for a chance to face Italy in ynt final. Denmark, who had been on a scintillating run in this tournament, despite losing their first two games started the game brightly, and were rewarded with a goal on the stroke of the half hour.
Andres Christensen was hobbled down by Luke Shaw for a Denmark Free-kick in a very dangerous position. Sampdoria’s 21-year-old midfielder, Mikkel Damsgaard stepped up to produce the first Free-kick goal of the European Championship 2020 with a beautiful finish from yards out.
That goal, came four minutes after Jordan Pickford had beaten Gordon Banks’ England record of 720 minutes without conceding. The Everton Goalkeeper was able to set a new record of 724 minutes, before being beaten by something special.
On the evening he becomes the youngest Englishman to start in a semi final or later stage at a major tournament, Bukayo Saka got behind the Denmark defense nine minutes later, and looked to pick out Sterling, but Simon Kjær got to it first, only to awkwardly divert the ball into his own net for Denmark’s first ever own goal, in Euro history and the 11th of the ongoing tournament.
Kasper Schmeichel was called into action on several occasions in the second half but the Leicester City Goalkeeper stood his ground as the game ended in a stalemate at Full time.
Kasper Schmeichel produced an unreal save to deny Harry Maguire. Photo Credits: Facebook/ UEFA EURO 2020
Raheem Sterling won a penalty in the first half of extra time and after The VAR review, the decision stood and Harry Kane, who has scored more goals against Schmeichel than any other Goalkeeper, was able to make it 16 goals against the Goalkeeper, who saved his penalty initially before the England captain fires home the rebound.
Kane becomes joint top scorer for England in major tournaments, with his 10th effort taking him level with Gary Lineker.
England progressed to reach their first ever UEFA European Championship final and their first major final, 55 years ago, when they won the World Cup on home soil.
They will be playing Italy at Wembley in the final on Sunday.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
