Euro 2020: Jubilation as Three Lions reach their first final since 1966 World Cup triumph
Wild scenes as Harry Kane scores for England v Denmark
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England erupted in celebrations last night after Gareth Southgate’s team took the nation to dreamland. And the Three Lions players wrote themselves into history by reaching their first final since the World Cup triumph of 1966. Their unprecedented march into the Euro 2020 final is a golden moment that will live forever in our country’s collective memory.
The 2-1 extra-time triumph over Denmark was a tribute not only to the England players’ skill, composure and determination under extreme pressure, but also to the unflappable leadership of their manager, who has gloriously confounded all his critics.
Dignified, modest and steely, Southgate is a true role model for our times, and only 1966 hero Sir Alf Ramsey has a better record as England boss.
Now Southgate has the chance to match his predecessor by lifting a trophy.
Football will have truly come home if he achieves that, willed on by an ecstatic public.
Southgate’s young pride of Three Lions came into the semi-final clash as heavy favourites but still had to be wary of a talented and inspired Danish side.
Carried along by a tidal wave of passion shown by 67,500 fans at Wembley and millions more watching at home or at fan parks and pubs, the team showed skill and tactical acumen to see off the Danish threat and secure a place in the final against Italy on Sunday.
Cries of “It’s Coming Home” rang out across Wembley after full-time, and Southgate was given a standing ovation by the crowd.
Forward Raheem Sterling said after the final whistle: “We had to dig in deep. I think we regrouped well and showed we had a good team spirit.
“It’s another step in the right direction. But we have got to focus on the weekend now.
“What football means to this country, you can see by the numbers that came out here this evening, the atmosphere, the cheering, people with
shirts off.”
Football fever swept across the country yesterday with fans wearing replica shirts as they piled into pubs, waving flags and stopping traffic as the nation counted down to the 8pm kick-off. Wembley Way was packed with fans from 5pm.
Sterling, tweeted a cartoon of the famous Wembley arch, along with a picture of the squad, declaring, “together as one”.
More than 30 million fans in living rooms, pubs and fan zones across the country united to cheer every England attack and held their breath when the Danes came forward.
The Duke of Cambridge, along with Boris and Carrie Johnson and David Beckham, were among the fans lucky enough to be at a two-thirds full Wembley.
And they lifted the roof off roaring the Three Lions home to the European Championship final.
Ahead of the match, Mr Johnson tweeted: “We’re behind you England.” An accompanying image showed the Prime Minister from behind, with his arms in the air, wearing an England shirt bearing the name “Boris” and the number 10.
Unlike many England teams before them, Southgate’s Lions were not weighed down by the past and high expectations, and seized the opportunity to write their own chapter in
England’s illustrious football history.
And simply by reaching the final, England have already had their best ever European Championship.
They have finally banished the ghost of Euro 96, when England lost in the semi-final to Germany on penalties.
Prince William, who also cheered England to victory against Germany last week alongside the Duchess of Cambridge and their son George, looked delighted at the events on the pitch.
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, his wife Princess Mary, and their son Prince Christian were given exemptions to travel to London for the clash.
Furious Denmark fans had threatened to “come by sea like the Vikings” after they were banned from travelling under the country’s Covid rules. But 8,000 Danish fans made it into Wembley for the showcase.
England super fan Chris Dowse, who lives on the flag-covered Kirby Estate in Bermondsey, south London, said he had declined the offer of tickets to the game because he would rather watch in the company of his neighbours.
He said: “I’ve been offered tickets but I’ve turned them down.
Firstly, I’m not rich and I’d like to spend that money on my kids.
“But, secondly, I am really proud of what we’ve achieved on this estate, so I will be watching it here.”
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Get ready for England to bring it home in this year’s Euros by wearing England’s official football kit
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