Against dashing Danes, the Three Lions won 2-1 in extra time. They will play their first final of a major tournament on Sunday since their home World Cup in 1966.
Adventure Time. A great adventure, started in pain. Finished in a buffoonish way. The Danes pushed the English to the end, this Wednesday night in London, and the Dutch referee of the match, Danny Makkelie, waved his whistle like a judge his hammer. He did it the first time, in the heart of a breathtaking overtime, to designate a supposed push on Raheem Sterling. Video arbitration is called. It is the tool of justice: this is how it was sold. Impartiality made image. The virtue of slow motion. Football become pure. We must therefore believe that the contact is not fantastic. Danny Makkelie sends a second whistle: the penalty is validated. Harry Kane does it twice but mass is said. England goes to join Italy in the final of “his” Euro.
Rendezvous against Italy
For a month, the Danes have captivated the Euro. The public. The coach, Kasper Hjulmand was thinking before this semifinal on all this story. The tragedy of the Eriksen accident on June 12. The support of an entire country, then. This lightness glimpsed during five matches. The “reason” given. The “meaning” of a competition, of football, of an adventure: the truth which opens. Denmark lost and it looks like it couldn’t be otherwise. Since their victory against the Germans, the English have released their bow tie. The final at their Wembley stadium on Sunday had all the features of a promise. At home, accompanied by 55,000 of their supporters – some of whom whistled the Danish anthem, which is becoming a habit within the “house of football”.
England are starting this match at a brisk pace, governed by the same somewhat dripping confidence that has animated them since their round of 16. Muscles bandaged, a few soles: the physical challenge is underway. Raheem Sterling, in legs as often these days, sends a first strike easily captured by Kasper Schmeichel. The Three Lions believe they are on the right track… For their part, the Danes are managing. Let pass the skulls. Jordan Pickford, who has not conceded a single goal of the tournament so far, raises in the opposing feet. First crack. Soon, the Danes turn the tide, rush into the meeting with a little carefree ease. Young Mikkel Damsgaard (21) tries his hand for the first time. What if the English have only their desire to offer this match? Thirtieth minute: Damsgaard, “small” player of the Sampdoria of Genoa who invigorates the competition, plants a direct of the right in Pickford, on a free kick at thirty meters. The keeper collects the roses. Jewel. The Danes continue their breakthroughs, plants of bleeding counterattacks, but Sterling comes out his head once, and the second is the right one. Simon Kjaer beats the attacker mounted on Duracell but cannot avoid the own goal. A summer classic (1-1, 37th).
Umpteenth extension
During the second half, the teams beat together. The semi-final between Italy and Spain the day before reached new heights of disheveled pace. The breath of this meeting has nothing to envy: opportunities are flowing on both sides. Kasper Schmeichel, author of decisive parades against Sterling, takes off several times the heads of Harry Maguire, who dominates the airs. Wembley shouts. The Danes are gradually sagging. We do not yet know if they are consumed with fatigue or too conscious: the end of regulation time advances and the draw holds the rope. They send their last remnants of clarity to repel the English attempts, which are closing in minute after minute. Joakim Maehle, superb for a month, is caught with each acceleration, but the Danes hold. And then this extension. Yet another in the competition. That whistle. This penalty stopped, but taken over by Kane. Tonight, football is coming home. A strange house. But solid.
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