UEFA Euro 2020 semis: England ends Denmark's fairy-tale run to reach maiden final

The UEFA Euro 2020 is done with its semi-final commitments, with the two finalists being decided. On Wednesday, the closing member of the final was fixed, as England edged past Denmark to reach its maiden final of the competition. Here's how it happened.

The ongoing UEFA Euro has genuinely reached its business-end phase, with the two finalists decided for the event. On Wednesday night, the final member of the same was fixed.

England was up against Denmark at the Wembley Stadium in London, as it put the home advantage to its maximum effect. Despite being challenged enough by the Danish, the English were strong enough to pip them, as we take a look at how it all unfolded.

First half
The first half turned out to be the most intense one, as both sides went all-out with their attacks. Of the seven shots attempted, a couple of them turned out to be goals.

After an opening couple of attempts were denied by both the goalkeepers, Mikkel Damsgaard's free-kick effort put Denmark ahead in the 30th minute, while it was an exceptional strike from him. However, nine minutes later, Simon Kjær put the ball into his own net, thus helping England draw the equaliser, as the scores stayed level at half-time.

Second half
The following half was relatively composed, as just three promising attempts were made. While Jordan Pickford denied a Danish chance, Kasper Schmeichel denied one from England, as both sides failed to break the deadlock by the full-time whistle.

Extra time
Moving on to the extra time, the beginning half turned out to be exciting, as three encouraging attempts were made, and it all came for England. After being denied a couple of chances by Schmeichel, Joakim Mæhle brought down Raheem Sterling inside the box. Although the keeper denied Harry Kane's initial chance from the spot-kick, the former put in the rebound, as England led.

The subsequent half saw a couple of more attacks from England, as the Danish were visibly tired. Nevertheless, the attempts were unsuccessful, while Kane's strike turned out to be the eventual winner, to seal England's spot in the final.

Stats
- Bukayo Saka became the youngest Englishman (19 years and 305 days) to start a semis for England in any major competition.
- Pickford set an English record of playing the most minutes (721) without conceding, going past Gordon Banks (720).
- Damsgaard's goal was the first set-piece goal of the tournament this term.
- Kjaer's own goal was the first to benefit England in Euro history.
- This Euro edition saw the most extra time in its history (7).
- Kane has become England's joint top-most goal scorer in Euro/World Cup along with Gary Lineker (10).
- Grealish became the third Englishman to be subbed on and off in any major after Jamie Redknapp and Aaron Lennon.
- England would be playing a final after 55 years, the longest gap for any European nation.

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