England suffers but wins: on Sunday they will challenge Italy in the final

England after 55 years breaks the final taboo. The national team of the Three Lions reaches for the first time in its history the last act of a European by beating Denmark 2-1 in extra time. The scream at Wembley dragged the guys from Southgate, good at overcoming Kjaer and his teammates, who in the long run suffered a physical decline that paved the way for the home team’s painful but deserved success. The gem of Damsgaard on a free kick after half an hour unlocks the game, which the English fix shortly after with the own goal of the captain of Denmark. In the second half the wind of the match changes, but England does not have the strength to sink the blow. At least until extra time, with Kane the hero of Wembley despite the thrill of the missed penalty. England in the final, also at Wembley, will face Mancini’s Italy. A fascinating challenge, according to many the worthy ending of the tournament. Hjulmand does not give up on the trident and relies on Dolberg in the middle, with Damsgaard and Braithwaite on either side. Southgate confirms the 4-2-3-1 with Sterling-Mount-Saka behind the lone striker Kane. From the beginning the hosts perceive that breaking down the Danish wall will not be easy: compared to the showdown with Ukraine, the English have to deal with a short and compact team, good at occupying the spaces and becoming dangerous. It is no coincidence that the first occasion is for the guests, with Damsgaard who from the clod where Chiesa punished Spain tries a similar, slightly more inaccurate shot. The talented Sampdoria, however, rejoices shortly after: with a mocking trajectory on a free kick, he bypasses the barrier and overcomes a not excellent Pickford. England does not break up, rather it shakes after a first half hour of pure sleepiness. And it accelerates immediately, proving that it can hurt. Kane puts a big ball in the area, Sterling hits Schmeichel with the door wide open. A minute later, however, the national team of the Three Lions put things right. Kane’s splendid opening for Saka, who sinks to the right and crosses in the middle for Sterling, who is anticipated by Kjaer who can not help but throw the ball into his own goal. Denmark feels the pinch, Wembley seethes, but the interval allows Hjulmand’s boys to catch their breath and regroup. England compared to the faded version of the first half is more sparkling and lively: at 10 ‘on a set piece Maguire goes to heaven, Schmeichel with a splendid intervention saves the result. The coach of the Danes tries to give his team a bit of athletic freshness with a triple change, but with the passing of the minutes the hosts are increasingly dominating the field. However, the Danish wall holds up, also because the best opportunities happen on Phillips’ feet. In full recovery then Kane misses the flick in front of goal, canceled once again by Kjaer. However, Denmark no longer has the strength to stem English athleticism and exuberance, also because Southgate from the bench can draw players like Grealish, Foden, Jordan Henderson. The overtime thus becomes a real target practice. Schmeichel saves on Kane and on the blow from outside (central) of Grealish, and is prodigious also on the penalty kicked badly by the Tottenham star, granted after Sterling’s serpentine in the area that Makkelie punishes, a little generously, with a penalty. On the retort, however, the English bomber does not betray. England shakes off a huge weight for a long-chased goal and flies to the final. The Danish mission closes at Wembley. But with a very high head, in an unforgettable European championship, and not only for the semifinal reached, for Kjaer and his teammates.