Sports

Euro 2020: England qualify for first final, beat Denmark 2-1

Published

3 years ago

July 8, 2021

England’s 55-year wait to reach a major men’s final is over at last after victory against Denmark at Euro 2020.

Gareth Southgate’s side were on a mission to travel one step further than any England side had done since the 1966 World Cup final win against West Germany, and they finally achieved the long-cherished goal as they came from behind to triumph in extra time.

In front of 66,000 fans and in a frenzied, thunderous atmosphere this newer Wembley has not experienced before, England battled their way out of adversity to secure a meeting with Italy in the final at the same venue on Sunday (20:00 BST kick-off).

They had to fight for victory against steely opponents – who had an inspired keeper in Kasper Schmeichel – especially after conceding their first goal of the tournament to Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick after 30 minutes.

But they replied quickly as Denmark captain Simon Kjaer turned in Bukayo Saka’s threatening cross six minutes before the break.

Schmeichel was Denmark’s hero as the hosts sought the winner, saving brilliantly from Harry Maguire and Harry Kane as the game went into extra time and the prospect of penalties loomed large.

The moment the nation has awaited so long effectively arrived with Wembley’s giant screens showing 103 minutes and captain Kane standing over a penalty after Raheem Sterling had been fouled by Joakim Maehle.

Denmark were unhappy with the decision, which was checked by VAR.

And in keeping with England’s long and tortuous history, it was not straightforward as the normally ice-cool Kane saw an awful penalty saved by Schmeichel – but the rebound fell at his feet for him to score.

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

Wembley went wild with deafening noise and wild celebrations and, after all the years of hurt, England have the golden opportunity to finally claim a major crown.

England went into this semi-final on a wave of expectation and optimism after the last-16 victory against Germany at Wembley was followed up by the emphatic 4-0 demolition of Ukraine in the quarter-final in Rome.

There were tears among Denmark’s players as the final whistle sounded on their Euro 2020 campaign, one which began with the trauma of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their opening game against Finland then went on to be a huge credit to coach Kapser Hjulmand and his team.

Denmark had the air of a squad on a mission as Eriksen thankfully continues his recovery but they were not simply fuelled by emotion, this was a team with quality and character who fully deserved to reach the last four.

When they went to applaud their fans at the final whistle, their colourful followers gave Denmark the huge ovation they deserved.

Sports

Liverpool crash out of Europa as Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta win 3-1 agg

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Liverpool crash out of Europa as Ademola Lookman’s Atalanta win 3-1 agg

Italian Serie A side, Atalanta, on Thursday night knocked out Liverpool from the quarter final stage of the Europa League, with 3-1 goal aggregate.

Liverpool were eliminated from the Europa League despite beating Atalanta 1-0 in Bergamo, Italy via Mohamed Salah‘ lone seventh minute penalty goal.

The 3-0 deficit from the first leg at Anfield last week Thursday had done enough damage.

Nigerian international, Ademola Lookman, made a 80th minute appearance during the game.

Trent Alexander-Arnold cross was handled in the box to give Liverpool hope of upturning the deficit but that was not to be.

As the first half drew to a close, the Egypt forward lofted well wide when put through one-on-one, but Klopp’s side struggled to create meaningful openings in the second period.

It marks the end of a difficult 12 days for the Reds, who drew at Manchester United and lost at home to Crystal Palace to surrender their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Attention will now turn back to the title race with Liverpool sitting third behind second-placed Arsenal and two points off leaders Manchester City.

The league now represents their final chance to give Klopp a fairytale ending to his eight and a half years on Merseyside and add to their success in the Carabao Cup in February.

Sports

Europa: Martinez two penalty saves power Aston Villa into S’final

Published

23 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Trends Admin

Europa: Martinez two penalty saves power Aston Villa into S’final

Aston Villa on Thursday qualified for their first major European semi-final since 1982 with a dramatic victory on penalties over Lille in the Europa Conference League.

According to a THISDAY report, an extraordinary shootout after the tie ended 3-3 on aggregate after extra time, Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez – who had been booked earlier for time-wasting – was shown another yellow card for appearing to gesture to home fans.

Martinez, who had already kept out Nabil Bentaleb’s attempt, was allowed to carry on as his initial booking was not carried over into the shootout.

The Argentina World Cup winner then went on to keep out Benjamin Andre’s attempt as Villa won 4-3 on penalties to advance to the last four.

Matty Cash’s late goal in the 87th minute forced an extra 30 minutes after Yusuf Yasici opener in the 15th minute and Benjamin Andre’s 67th strike had seen Lille come from a 2-1 deficit from the first leg to lead the tie 3-2.

But nothing could separate the sides after 210 minutes and two legs, needing penalties to decide the quarter-final.

And it was marred in confusion. Martinez – who saved two spot kicks to send Aston Villa through – had already been booked in the first half for time wasting, and was shown another yellow card during the shootout.

Ever the performer, Martinez had ‘shushed’ the crowd after saving from Remy Cabella, leading to objects being thrown at him. He then gestured again to them, appearing to ask them to stop, and then was booked.

It left many wondering why the accumulation of two yellows did not result in a red. However, rules of the competition state that no yellow cards from the game carry over into shoot-outs, and therefore Martinez was not sent off.

He continued to take part in the penalty shootout, saving the final spot kick from Andre and seeing Aston Villa into their first European semi-final since 1982.