Wednesday July 7, 2021
England have reached their first major tournament final since 1966 after beating Denmark 2-1 in extra time at Wembley.
Harry Kane led his side into the final of Euro 2020 after scoring from a rebounded penalty.
The captain's shot was initially denied by Denmark keeper Schmeichel, but Kane put it away on the rebound to put England ahead 2-1 in extra time.
Sunday, when the Three Lions take on Italy at Wembley, will be the first time in 55 years that the men's team have made it to the final of a major tournament.
Sterling was fouled in the box as England continued their attacking drive after going in a goal a piece after normal time. The referee's call was checked by VAR, but the penalty decision remained.
Denmark continued to threaten in the dying minutes of extra time - with Pickford forced to make a save and Maguire clearing a threatening corner from the visitors.
But England held their lead, with Sterling continuing to attack until the final whistle went.
As the Three Lions went into the second half of extra time, Kieran Trippier came on to replace fan favourite Jack Grealish - who had come on with 22 minutes left of normal time.
Southgate made a series of changes early into the first half of extra time, with Jordan Henderson and Phil Foden brought on.
Normal time finished a goal a piece, despite a number of chances for the Three Lions in the six minutes of stoppage time.
The Three Lions hit back in the first-half after the visitors were first to go ahead through Damsgaard's free kick.
England were behind for just nine minutes before a cross from Saka was deflected in by Simon Kjaer for an own goal.
Damsgaard's goal was the first time England have conceded in the Euros this year, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford had maintained a clean sheet up until this point.
The win puts the England's men team within touching distance of victory on the European stage for the first time in more than half a century.
Italy await England following a semi-final victory against Spain on Tuesday in which they triumphed on penalties when the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Southgate's side will be cheered on by a 60,000 strong crowd at Wembley on Sunday, as they were in the semis.
The Duke of Cambridge, Boris Johnson and Carrie Johnson, Prince Christian of Denmark, and the Crown Prince of Denmark were all spotted in the stands as England won on Wednesday.
Ahead of the semi-final clash, Kane said the team was better prepared than they had been three years ago when the Three Lions lost to Croatia in the World Cup semi-final.
Kane said the team had grown in confidence "game-by-game" but said it would be a "very tough" match against Denmark.
Speaking to ITV ahead of the game, Gareth Southgate said: "We’ve tried to keep things as normal as possible.
"The players have gained big-match experience over the past few years, there’s hardly a scenario the players have not been through."