Captain Harry Kane was once again the difference maker for England as the Three Lions reached the UEFA EURO 2020 Final following victory over Denmark attention as all attention now points to Sunday’s EURO 2020 Final.
As the tides of emotion swelled at Wembley, England made the final of the men’s senior European Championships for the first time after their extra-time win after having fallen behind for the first time in the tournament to Mikkel Damsgaard’s free-kick. Bukayo Saka rebounded for the Three Lions by forcing an own-goal from Simon KJaer, thanks to Kane’s wonderful through-ball in the first half, before the skipper’s rebounded penalty finally signed, sealed and delivered the game in extra-time for the Three Lions.
Speaking after the match, England’s No 9 was thrilled that England had managed to overcome the semi-final hurdle for the first time since 1966.
“For once it fell our way,” he said. “Credit to the boys, what a performance. After we went 1-0 down we responded really well.
“We controlled the game; we had a few chances that could have gone our way. We dug deep in extra-time, got the penalty — and when it’s your night, it’s your night.”
The final turning point came when Denmark and Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel — scion of the former Manchester United and Denmark legend goalkeeper Peter — saved Kane’s original spot-kick. And when the rebounded ball came back into Kane’s path, the striker was quick to pounce on it and tuck home what turned out to be the winning goal. With it, he drew level with Gary Lineker as England’s joint-highest-ever scorer in tournament games, with ten goals.
“Obviously it wasn’t the penalty I wanted to execute. It went lower than I thought, so it was a bonus to see it bounce back and I was able to pop it home.
“This is right up there [among my career highlights]. For the first time in our history as a nation getting through to a European final, at Wembley. It’s one of the proudest moments in my life, that’s for sure.”
Captain Kane will now lead England out on Sunday night as they return to Wembley for the final of EURO 2020 and he was eager to show respect to Italy, whose run to the final has been impressive, just as England’s has.
“We haven’t won it yet, we’ve got one more to go.”