England break semis jinx, set up title showdown with Italy

Gulf Today Report

Simon Kjaer’s own goal coupled with Harry Kane’s extra time strike helped England break a 56-year semifinal jinx and book a berth in the final of the Euro 2020 with a 2-1 win over Denmark on Thursday.

England, who made it to the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966 World Cup final, will face Italy in the title showdown at Wembley on Sunday.

Denmark took the lead through Damsgaard in the 30th minute. He unleashed a flying shot into the roof of the net off a free-kick to put Denmark ahead.

Sterling received a clean pass inside the box but failed to capitalize on the opportunity as his effort was duly saved by an agile Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who managed to get enough hand on the ball to divert it.

However, England did not have to wait for too long. As the Denmark captain Kjaer perhaps committed the biggest howler of his life.

Kjaer did for England what Harry Kane and Sterling failed to. He accidently put a pass into his own net, scoring an own goal to make it 1-1.

England camp heaved a sigh of relief and started playing more attacking football. They created many chances but failed to convert them into goals as Kasper was brilliant in the net and thwarted all their efforts.

Kasper denied the England players many times as he stopped a Sterling shot with a spectacular dive.

Joakim Maehle of Denmark tripped over an opponent player and England were awarded a penalty for the foul.

Kane drilled the ball in the right corner of the net but Kasper made another brilliant save and parried the ball away before the England captain put the rebound into the other side before the Denmark goalkeeper could even regain composure.