England ended a 55-year wait to reach a major final after they overcame Denmark at Euro 2020 and the result dominated the front and back pages of the country’s newspapers on Thursday, July 8, with most going on a similar theme to Daily Mirror’s splash: “Finally.”
England beat the Danes 2-1 in extra time to reach a first final since they won the World Cup in 1966, prompting the Daily Star to ask on its front page: “Is this the greatest dream ever?”, while the Independent led with, “The history-makers.”
“England are in a final — a final! — and these are the strangest, rarest, and most beautiful of words to write, read or even imagine,” Henry Winter wrote in The Times.
“For the first time since July 30, 1966, England will engage in a duel for a major honor. A final! Can 55 years of hurt really be about to end?”
England and their long-suffering fans finally have the chance to add another trophy to the 1966 World Cup after they overcame Denmark 2-1 in extra time on Wednesday to reach the European Championship final for the first time.
Harry Kane’s goal, following up after his penalty had been saved, finally saw off battling Denmark to set up a Sunday showdown against Italy, also looking to shake off the ’60s as they seek to win the title they last lifted in 1968.
On a night to remember in front of almost 60,000 roaring fans, England fell behind to Mikkel Damsgaard’s superb free kick, equalized with an own goal, dominated the game and then won it via their captain, albeit somewhat unconvincingly, in the 104th minute.
“Unbelievable – what a game though,” said Kane. “We dug deep and we got there when it mattered. We reacted really well – we’re in a final at home, what a feeling.”
It was of course a particularly special night for coach Gareth Southgate, whose penalty shoot-out miss sent England out of the semifinals of Euro 96.
“We said to the players at some point we’re going to have to show resilience and come back from setbacks, and we did that tonight,” he said. “The most pleasing thing is that we’ve given our fans and our nation a fantastic night and the journey carries on for another four days. We’ve said we want to create memories I’ve said to the young ones ‘it isn’t always like this’.”
It was a tough way for Denmark to end their emotional ride from the fear and distress of Christian Eriksen’s opening game collapse to their first semifinal since their shock Euro 92 win, but their exhausted players left Wembley with socks rolled down but heads held high.
“I am proud of this group and everyone who has been on this journey. It has been fantastic to be involved. I am hungry and empty, but I am also proud,” said Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
There was plenty of praise for Southgate, who has carried the pain of his penalty shoot-out miss at the semifinals of Euro 96 and often been criticized for his tactics.
“(He has) the bravery to be unpopular, to be the scapegoat if it goes wrong,” wrote Martin Samuel in the Daily Mail.
“England won. England are in the final. The end justified the means.
“Every decision to here can be defended on this simple outcome. That’s football and, at last, England are actually quite good at it. Pinch yourself and believe, because it is what this team and its manager deserves.”
There were also plaudits for Kane, who became his country’s joint-highest goalscorer in major tournaments, moving level with Gary Lineker on 10 goals, when he converted the winning penalty at the second attempt.
“Through this Kane was the player England needed him to be, a quietly assertive leader,” wrote Barney Ronay in the Guardian.
“It has been a show of deep character to rouse himself from those early days where he seemed to be staggering around Wembley with a Chesterfield sofa strapped to his back.”
Matt Dickinson in The Times reflected on the euphoria at the final whistle and wondered what emotional outpouring might be triggered if England beat Italy in the final.
“A mighty roar bellowed around Wembley stadium. It cascaded out of pubs and bars, and along streets across the nation,” he wrote.
“If this could feel so wonderful once it had stopped feeling so agonizing, imagine the delirium if England actually go on to win Euro 2020 on Sunday.” – Rappler.com
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.