Harry Kane propelled England into a major slam final for a second time, as Gareth Southgate’s men secured an additional victory over Denmark to set Sunday’s European Championship goal.
Having topped their group, beating Germany and beating Ukraine aside, this semi-final victory gives the Three Lions a chance to follow in the footsteps of the 1966 World Cup winning team by lifting titles at Wembley.
Italy awaited after a tense and pulsating semi-final under the arc on Wednesday night, when Simon Keir’s goal ruled out a superb free kick for Michael Damsgaard before Kane sealed a 2-1 win in overtime after saving a penalty.
The final whistle ignited chaos at the ground and across the country as dreams of football returning home moved closer to reality, 25 years after Southgate missed a penalty at this point in the competition against Germany.
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England’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring his second goal in the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark at Wembley
Sterling told ITV: «It was a great performance – we had to dig deep after the first goal we conceded in the tournament, and we regrouped really well and showed good team spirit to come back and win the game.
«It was hard to fall behind but we knew we had to be patient – knowing our legs, the aggressiveness and strength we have in the team, it will be a matter of time before we break them.»
It was no surprise that Sterling defended the penalty decision in his favour, adding: «I went into the penalty area and he took out his right leg, touched my leg, so it was a clear penalty.»
Despite the festivities at Wembley, Sterling insisted the focus would almost immediately turn to the final against Italy.
«It is another step in the right direction,» he added. «But once we’re back in the dressing room it’s over and we have to focus on the weekend now. It’s step by step and that’s all we can do.»
England got off to a solid start like the atmosphere at Wembley, but Damsgaard’s stunning free kick from 25 yards silenced the home support as the 21-year-old continued to shine in place of the sadly absent Christian Eriksen.
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Denmark’s Simon Kjaer scored an own goal in the Euro 2020 semi-final against England at Wembley
It was the first goal conceded by England during an unusually direct summer, but they responded well to the setback and Kierre’s cross turned teenager Bukayo Saka into his own net under pressure from Raheem Sterling.
Kasper Schmeichel had brilliantly denied the last moments before that, and the goalkeeper sparkled throughout the second half as the VAR removed Christian Norgaard’s challenge to Kane inside the penalty area.
The Denmark goalkeeper continued to impress in extra time, but could not prevent England from qualifying for the final, with Kane scoring after the Leicester player saved the initial penalty after a foul on Sterling.
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England’s Mason Mount plays with Denmark’s Thomas Delaney during the Euro 2020 semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London