Before this tournament, Gareth Southgate kept talking about a squad that was preparing to play seven games.
At times it seemed optimistic and borderline presumptuous but it seems we can now add fortune telling to the England manager’s growing list of talents.
For England are there, almost at the top of the mountain. For the first time in more than 50 years they have a prize fighter’s shot at something that properly matters.
Before this, Southgate kept talking about a squad that was preparing to play seven games
Only Italy now stand in their way on Sunday. Only Italy? When Wembley seethes, sways and seduces like this, nothing seems terribly daunting any more.
Yes, this was another night for the ‘I was there’ brigade. They have started to come along like London buses. Germany, Ukraine in Rome and now this, a tension-laden night of football that shone as brightly as the Wembley arch.
With eight minutes of extra time played, Southgate turned to the crowd and gestured for more. It seemed completely unnecessary on a night when these home fans had already given so much but within minutes England had their winning goal. Southgate, it seems, really can do no wrong.
At the end of it all, England had needed the added period to see off Denmark, without doubt Euro 2020’s bravest team. It was sad to see the back of the Danes but we will not forget them. As for England, this was a night that went their way because they made it so.
For the first time in more than 50 years they have a shot at something that properly matters
Now only Italy (above) now stand in their way on Sunday at Wembley. Only Italy?
Their winning penalty was a strange one, both in its award and its execution. But England were the better team. The enjoyed more of the ball and enjoyed it in the right areas. As they pushed and pushed against a tired Denmark team, they did not become frustrated. Their football remained tight and patient and over time they simply wore their opponents in to the turf like really good teams do.
There had been talk beforehand of England’s relationship, both good and bad, with Wembley over the years. Southgate himself had touched on a more tender subject when he said: ‘We don’t have as good a football history as we like to believe.’
For all that, the extra 20,000 supporters inside the famous old stadium turned the atmosphere up a couple more dials from what it had been prior to the Germany game in the last 16.
That day, a 5pm kick-off, had been something to witness but this was even more intense, even more joyful — at least until Denmark scored after half an hour.
Once again it was Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline that drew the crowd to its crescendo as the teams emerged. It is 13 years since the American singer last played the Glastonbury Festival. If he isn’t booked in for next year after this then it will be a surprise.
England fell behind to a free-kick that Pickford might have saved but rose to the challenge
