⚽️ Euro 2021 Semifinals Review ⚽️

 

Euro 2021 Semifinals

England Knocks Out Denmark After Controversial Call  

England will be playing in their first major tournament final since their sole World Cup championship, which came in 1966. But it was looking quite grim for them early in the game, when the Danish side appeared to be in control, dictating the tempo of the game, and even capitalizing on the first scoring opportunity when Dane Mikkel Damsgaard broke through with an incredible free kick that shot right into the goal in the 30th minute. It was a beautiful, almost unstoppable shot, and the Danish players and fans exploded.  

However, less than ten minutes later, Danish defender Simon Kjær got an accidental Own Goal while trying to kick the ball out of the danger zone during an English attack in the 39th minute. Ironically, it would cause the game to shift, as England suddenly were tied just before halftime, finally on the scoreboard  

The second half was relatively uneventful, as neither team broke through to score a goal and apply pressure, and so into extra time it went.  

Harry Kane scored off a rebound from a penalty in the 104th minute, but this was after a highly controversial call where Raheem Sterling fell to the ground after approaching the Danish goal. The thing is, it is uncertain as to whether or not he dove to the ground, literally acting to try and draw the penalty. One way or the other, it did not appear that any of the Danish defenders did much of anything to warrant such a penalty, one that ultimately proved so costly, since it allowed the English to score the deciding goal.  

After the game, Sterling gave unconvincing explanations about how the Danish defender had earned the penalty, saying that he had stuck out his right leg, and it touched his own leg, and so it was a penalty. But the consensus from most who saw the penalty was a lot more doubtful about the legitimacy of the goal.  

Most unfortunate that such an important game for both nations should ultimately be decided in such a controversial, unsatisfactory manner.  

Italy Outlasts Spain in Shootout to Advance  

In the first semifinal, Spain got knocked out by the Italian National Team, which has set a mission to get people to forget about the embarrassment of having failed to qualify for the last World Cup tournament. That is a very rare distinction of the wrong kind for the Italians, but they clearly seem to be determined to show exactly how much they are capable of with this impressive run through the Euro.  

Federico Chiesa scored in the 60th minute, breaking what had been a scoreless tie, and giving the Italians the 1-0 lead.  

However, Álvaro Morata managed to get the tying goal for Spain in the 80th minute.  

Neither team was able to score for the rest of regulation, and neither team managed to break through in the extra time, as well. That meant that this was going to the penalty kick shootout to determine the winner, where Italy ultimately won, 4-2.  

In the game, the Spanish side actually dominated on many levels, enjoying a huge advantage in time of possession, passes, and pass accuracy. They had far more corners, and more shots on goal, as well. However, they were not able to translate all of that to an advantage on the scoreboard, and had to settle for the risky penalty shootout. Obviously, that did not work out for them so well.  

Italy now advances to the Euro Final for the first time since 2012, when they lost to Spain, ironically, in a surprising blowout, 4-0. This time, the Italians will face a determined English side which is making it’s first ever Euro Final appearance, but which they will also enjoy home field advantage for.