Verratti says England DESERVED to win despite 'generous' penalty

Italy star Marco Verratti believes England’s penalty decision against Denmark was ‘generous’ but insists Gareth Southgate’s men ‘deserved’ to go through to meet them in the final

  • Harry Kane scored a controversial rebounded penalty to send England through
  • The decision to hand England a penalty in extra time has been widely criticised
  • Italy midfielder Marco Verratti believes it was ‘generous’ to award the spot kick
  • Verratti however insisted England are a ‘solid team’ and deserved to progress 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here

Italy midfielder Marco Verratti feels the spot-kick Raheem Sterling won in England’s Euro 2020 semi-final victory over Denmark was ‘a bit of a generous penalty’.

The Three Lions were awarded the penalty in extra-time of Wednesday’s clash at Wembley after Joakim Maehle was adjudged to have fouled Sterling.

Harry Kane then saw his effort from 12 yards parried by Kasper Schmeichel before slotting in the rebound for what proved the winner as England triumphed 2-1 to set up Sunday’s final against the Italians.

England were awarded a contentious penalty in extra-time after Raheem Sterling went down

Asked about the penalty incident at a press conference on Thursday, Verratti said: ‘Perhaps it was a bit of a generous penalty, but it is part of the picture in football. I think it was a bit of a generous penalty.’

Verratti also described Sterling as a ‘fantastic player’ and said he thought England deserved to be in the final, which he thinks will be ‘an epic’ match.

The 28-year-old Paris St Germain player said: ‘I think England did a great job. They got to the final for the first time and this says a lot.

Harry Kane saw his penalty saved but tucked away the rebound to send England to the final

‘They conceded only one goal, so it is a very solid team, great players, a very balanced team and I think they did deserve to get to the final.

‘I’m happy we will be playing them in a great stadium, it’s going to be a great final. It’s the dream you have as a kid, as a footballer.

‘We’re happy England won and now it’s all down to the final, which I think will be an epic final, and history-making either way.’

Marco Verratti said England were fortunate to get the decision but deserve place in the final




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