Ecstatic celebrations as England storm to Euro 2020 final

England have reached their first major tournament final since 1966 after beating Denmark 2-1 in extra time at the Euro 2020 semi-final.

Nearly 65,000 fans watched the nerve-shredding match at Wembley Stadium, which was filled with raucous renditions of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and the Three Lions (Football’s Coming Home) anthemafter England captain Harry Kane led his side to victory with a goal from a rebounded penalty.

This hard-won moment of joy followed 103 minutes of agony. The England team had to fight hard for their victory after conceding their first goal of the tournament to Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick after 30 minutes.

England swiftly levelled eight minutes later thanks to an own goal by Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer, which was forced by pressure from Raheem Sterling, England’s star of the tournament.

The crucial point came in extra time – when Sterling was judged to have been fouled by Joakim Maehle and VAR confirmed the penalty decision.

The England captain’s shot was initially denied by Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel, but Kane put it away on the rebound to put England ahead 2-1 in extra time.

Kane has now equalled Gary Lineker’s long-standing record of 10 goals for England at major tournaments.

England now face Italy – who have been unbeaten for nearly three years – at Wembley on Sunday for the chance to win their first major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.

But the win was not without controversy.

There was a second ball on the pitch when Sterling collected the ball at the start of the move and he was accused of diving to win a penalty in the first half of extra time.

Television footage also revealed that someone in the crowd shone a green laser pen in Schmeichel’s face in the moments before Kane stepped up to take the winning penalty.

Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand hit out at the penalty decision that saw England progress into the final of the European Championships, describing the match as a “bitter way to leave a tournament”.

“We’re disappointed it was decided that way. It was a penalty that shouldn’t have been a penalty, and that annoys me right now.”

Gareth Southgate, the England manager, praised the Danes for an “incredible tournament” and said they had made things “really difficult” for England, but insisted his players had earned their place in the final.

“Denmark have had an incredible tournament. I have got to give them huge credit”.

“But I think on the balance of play when you look at the number of saves we forced the goalkeeper to make and long periods of the game where I felt we were the biggest threat, I think we deserved it.”

Already looking ahead to Sunday’s big match, Kane said it was important to remain focused and reminded the ecstatic England fans that the team “haven’t won anything yet”.

He added: “As the game gets closer I’m sure the excitement and nerves will kick in. It will be a special day but there will be a winner and a loser and we have to make sure we are on that winning side.”