Bundesliga at the Euros, Day 26
The second semi-final pitted the effective hosts of the latter stages of EURO 2020 England up against the resilient and passionate Denmark to see who would take on Italy in the EURO 2020 final.
Borussia Dortmund's fantastic midfielder Thomas Delaney was given the start at Wembley with RB Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen starting the game for Denmark from the bench. On the England side of things, both Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham were named on the bench.
A first for these Euros happened in the 30th minute when 21-year-old attacking midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard scored a fantastic free-kick, which was the first direct free-kick that was scored in the whole tournament. It was also England's first goal that they conceded at these championships. The nation with the whole of Europe behind them took the shock lead in Wembley.
The lead did not last too long though as Tottenham and Arsenal linked up with a ball from Harry Kane finding Bukayo Saka who's cross went in off Danish captain Simon Kjaer 6 minutes before halftime.
No major talking points arose in the 2nd half so it was on to extra time with the game poised at 1-1.
A moment of controversy in the first half of extra time as England were awarded a penalty following what looked like minimal contact on Raheem Sterling. VAR had a look to confirm the Dutch referee Danny Makeille's decision and it stood. Kane stepped up to take it and saw his spot-kick saved by Kasper Schmeichel, but Kane followed up on the rebound to give England the lead again.
Denmark could not conjure up the elusive goal to take the game to penalties and when the final whistle blew, an eruption of noise from everyone in the stadium wearing a white shirt. "It's Coming Home" was bellowed by all 3 tiers from all sections of England supporters. England have made it to a major international final for the first time since 1966 when they won it all, they face Italy on Sunday for the right to be crowned Kings of Europe.
For Denmark, it was a heroic journey that went on for one too many a step. From the traumatic scenes in Copenhagen on matchday 1 to fighting back heroically to qualify as runners-up in group B. Comfortably dispatching Wales and edging past the Czech Republic to get to Wembley. It was a journey that made an entire nation proud, a shame it had to come to an end but Denmark certainly won the hearts of all football fans this summer.
England Starting XI: (4-2-3-1)
Pickford
Walker - Stones - Maguire - Shaw
Phillips - Rice
Saka - Mount - Sterling
Kane
Denmark Starting XI: (3-4-2-1)
Schmeichel
Christensen - Kjaer - Vestergaard
Stryger-Larsen - Delaney - Hojbjerg - Maehle
Damsgaard - Braithwaite
Dolberg