Euro 2020 LIVE: England fans go wild as Three Lions reach final, Southgate’s side to face Italy – latest updates
ENGLAND are into the Euro 2020 final!
The Three Lions will face Italy in Sunday's showpiece after Harry Kane's goal in extra-time saw off Denmark.
The Italians beat Spain 4-2 on penalties on Tuesday as the 120-minute clash ended 1-1.
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Follow ALL of the latest updates below...
KASPER KANED
Harry Kane has returned to goalscoring form at Euro 2020, bagging three goals in his last two games.
And the England striker knows a thing or two about scoring past Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
The duo, who were briefly team-mates all the way back in 2013, have regularly been facing off in the Premier League since Leicester's promotion a year later.
And although Schmeichel got the last laugh in the 2015-16 season by winning the title, Kane has regularly put the ball past him with ease.
The Tottenham star even scored against Schmeichel as recently as May 23, when the North Londoners beat Leicester 4-2 on the Premier League's final day to cost them Champions League football.
BROMANCE
England stars Mason Mount and Declan Rice showed off their set-piece skills yesterday — with a Love Island skit.
In their skit for a video, Rice, 22, posed as an anxious partner, unsure whether his mate Mount, also 22, had coupled up with someone else.
Lions’ Den presenter Josh Denzel laughs as the show’s suspenseful music is played.
He says: “Dec, you have decided to stay loyal to Mase — and if Mase walks through that door with another best mate you’re in danger of going home.”
Mount then walks in alone and laughs “Of course I’d stay loyal mate” and throws out his arms for a hug as Rice says: “I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”
Holding midfielder Declan is eager to join forces with his pal again tonight to crush Denmark.
GOOD MORNING FOOTBALL FANS
Italy defeated Spain on penalties to make it to the Euro 2020 Final.
The Azzurri opened the scoring with a fine effort by Federico Chiesa in the hour-mark.
But Juventus star Alvaro Morata equalised for the Furia Roja 10 minutes before full-time with a stunning run.
However, Morata then missed Spain’s most crucial penalty before Chelsea star Jorginho beat Unai Simon and sent his country to the final.
The winner of today’s semi-final between England and Denmark will face Italy on Sunday at Wembley.
Speaking of which, the Three Lions will look to reach the final of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.
Manager Gareth Southgate is not facing any injury concerns, as Bukayo Saka has regained full fitness, or suspensions.
Southgate could maintain a back-four and it will be interesting to see if he fields Jadon Sancho in the wings again following his first start in the tournament last week against Ukraine.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, on the other hand, has received an injury boost as both Yussuf Poulsen and captain Simon Kjaer have shaken off some recent knocks.
And finally, Tottenham as well as Barcelona are interested in signing Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne, according to Corriere dello Sport.
The same goes for Liverpool and Atletico Madrid as Insigne's deal with the Partenopei expires next year.
The winger has been shining bright for Italy and has played a major role in their road to the final.
Fabio Santini told Area Napoli: "To make the situation even more complicated is the intense competition for the player.
"I know for sure that there is a strong interest from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on Lorenzo Insigne.”
ITARY ARE IN THE FINAL
Italy beat Spain on penalties to make it to the Euro 2020 Final!
The Azzurri opened the scoring with a fine effort by Federico Chiesa in the hour-mark.
However, Juventus star Alvaro Morata equalised for the Furia Roja 10 minutes before full-time with a stunning run.
But Morata then missed Spain’s most crucial penalty before Chelsea star Jorginho beat Unai Simon and sent his country to the final.
The winner of tomorrow’s semi-final between England and Denmark will face Italy on Sunday at Wembley
MORATA SCORES
Here’s how former Chelsea star Alvaro Morata equalised for Spain and took the game to extra-time.
What an incredible match we are witnessing at Wembley!
Check it out:
CHIESA SCORES
Here’s how Italy opened the scoring with Juventus ace Federico Chiesa.
Spain were dominating possession and tempo but a smashing counter-attack gave the Azzurri the lead in the hour-mark.
Chiesa has put Roberto Mancini’s men ahead with this fine finish.
Check it out:
RASHFORD REACHES OUT
Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford reached out to Emma Raducanu after she retired from her match against Ajla Tomljanovic.
Raducanu struggled with her breathing and felt dizzy during her fourth-round Wimbledon clash.
Rashford tweeted: “It happened to me playing for the national team in U16s against Wales.
“I remember it to this day. No explanation for it and it never happened again. You should be very proud of yourself.
“The country is proud of you. Glad to read your [sic] feeling better. Onwards and upwards”
SIGN IN
As reported earlier, Tottenham and Barcelona are interested in signing Napoli and Italy star Lorenzo Insigne.
The same goes for Liverpool and Atletico Madrid as Insigne’s contract with the Partenopei expires next year.
Fabio Santini told Area Napoli: “To make the situation even more complicated is the intense competition for the player.
“I know for sure that there is a strong interest from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on Lorenzo Insigne”
TRIPPIER REACTS
Atletico Madrid ace and Manchester United target Kieran Trippier insists he is not paying attention to any transfer speculation and is only focused on England.
Trippier told The Guardian: “I’ve just enjoyed the season [at Atlético] and we’ve won the title.
“I’m away with England, we’re playing Denmark and I’m not focusing on my club or what is going on.
“I’m just focused on England and doing as best as I can if I play. If I don’t play, I still give 100 per cent”
CAM AND GET RICE
Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand advised his former club to end their pursuit for Rennes ace Eduardo Camavinga and instead go for West Ham star Declan Rice.
Ferdinand said on his official YouTube show ‘Vibe with Five’: “I’ve not seen enough of him if I’m honest. I’ve seen a bit of him, his debut against PSG where he got man of the match, unreal.
“Talent? Obviously. Is he going to come in and effect the team right now and become a star, or is he going to come in and be a bit like an Amad [Diallo], who comes in for £40million but is nowhere near the starting XI?
“Is that what we need? Or do we need someone like Declan Rice who is flying at the moment? In an England shirt, he’s taken it to other levels now. We all knew he was a good player at West Ham but what Declan Rice is doing in the England team right now, for his age, is a madness”
SHAWBERTO CARLOS
Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos has praised England ace Luke Shaw, who was recently compared to the Real Madrid hero with the nickname ‘Shawberto Carlos”.
Carlos told PA: “You can see he’s very motivated, his performance against Ukraine was very good.
“He’s been improving each game. I think he’s got everything to get to the top.
“He’s the left-back for England – that in itself says a lot”
TEAM SHEETS ARE IN!!!
Spain: Simon, Azpilicueta, Garcia, Laporte, Alba, Koke, Busquets, Pedri, F Torres, Oyarzabal, Olmo.
Subs: De Gea, Diego Llorente, P Torres, Marcos Llorente, Morata, Gerard, Thiago, Sanchez, Gaya, Rodri, Fabian, Traore.
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Barella, Jorginho, Verratti, Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne.
Subs: Sirigu, Locatelli, Belotti, Berardi, Pessina, Acerbi, Cristante, Bernardeschi, Bastoni, Florenzi, Toloi, Meret.
MANCINI PLANS
Italy manager Roberto Mancini insists the Azzurri won't change the way they play against Spain.
Mancini said: "In the last 20 years they have dominated world football so I don't think they will change their style of play now.
"Luis Enrique is a great coach for what he has shown. They have a style of play, invented by them, which has led them to extraordinary successes and they continue to do it well.
"Ours will be slightly different, we are Italian and we cannot suddenly become Spanish. We will try to play our game.
"We know that it won't be that easy. We know that we need to produce a big performance because Spain are a top side"
CHEEKY KASPER
Denmark star Kasper Schmeichel had a cheeky response to the most popular song in England today.
A number of English fans have been singing 'It's coming home' on the streets, the pubs, their homes, everywhere.
But Shmeichel wonders, 'Has it ever been home?'
Check out the Leicester star's funny exchange during the pre-match press conference:
NEVILLE WARNING
Gary Neville has warned England stars not to let their recent success go to their heads.
Neville told Sky Sports: "I think on Wednesday night the only danger is the players feel unbeatable and forget to go and do that job, that clinical bit.
"There are lads in this group that have been there in 2018 in Russia, been so close; I think that will help get them over the line on Wednesday.
"They have to go and finish the job off. There will be huge disappointment if they don't come away from Wembley with a win"
CAN'T STRESS IT ENOUGH
Gary Neville expects England players to be more excited than nervous against Denmark at Wembley.
Neville told Sky Sports: "Will there be nerves? I think more immense excitement.
"I think England teams in previous tournaments that have struggled to get out of group phases or the second round, there has been anxiety.
"But this group, once they got past Germany, the excitement builds, the confidence builds, and the nerves start to go away a bit.
"It becomes one of those moments as a footballer you've anticipated all your life. It's the game of their lives and they should look forward to it.
"I don't think they'll carry that much in terms of nervousness and anxiety, they'll just be really excited and desperate to get going"
TEAM NEWS
England are facing Denmark tomorrow at Wembley and will look to reach the final of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.
The Three Lions are not facing any injury concerns, as Bukayo Saka has regained full fitness, or suspensions but manager Gareth Southgate's plans are still uncertain.
Southgate could maintain a back-four and it will be interesting to see if he fields Jadon Sancho in the wings again following his first start in the tournament last week against Ukraine.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand, on the other hand, has received an injury boost as both Yussuf Poulsen and captain Simon Kjaer have shook off some recent knocks
SIGN-E HIM
Tottenham and Barcelona are keen to sign Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne.
That is according to Corriere dello Sport, who report that Spurs and Barca are believed to have contacted Insigne’s agent as he’s yet to agree a long-term deal at the Serie A club.
Partenopei bigwig Aurelio De Laurentiis is struggling to persuade the winger to commit his future to the club.
The 30-year-old has put together a series of impressive performances at Euro 2020 as he has played a huge role in Italy’s campaign to semi-finals
EUR THE ONE
Gary Neville believes England don't have a bigger asset than manager Gareth Southgate.
Neville told Sky Sports: "I've seen quite a few tournaments where there have been selection dilemmas a lot worse than this one. To be fair to Gareth, since Russia, I've had full trust in him.
"Coming into this tournament I said he was our greatest asset, and I still think he absolutely is. I know how different it is for England teams to compete at major tournaments and do well.
"He'll get it right on Wednesday, but that doesn't necessarily mean the result will go our way. Sometimes you can pick the right system and you don't get the bounce of the ball.
"He's an England manager that would have been heavily criticised these past two weeks if the decisions he'd made hadn't come off - Trippier at left-back, not picking Jack Grealish at times, not bringing him off the bench at times, not bringing Harry Kane off, among other things.
"I've seen it before with Gareth, he knows exactly what he's doing, and he knows what his team and squad can do. He's made incredible decisions in this tournament, bold decisions, and decisions not a lot of us would have made, both fans and media. He deserves credit for that"
SAK ATTACK
Gary Neville would prefer to see Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka start against Denmark but wouldn't mind if he didn't as England are beaming with attacking options.
Neville told Sky Sports: "I think Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane pick themselves.
"But between Saka, [Jack] Grealish, [Phil] Foden, [Jadon] Sancho, [Marcus] Rashford, I honestly think you could flip a coin between them all and it could land on any of them and you wouldn't be disappointed. We have such strength in those positions.
"We are so blessed, that actually I pick one - Bukayo Saka to come back in for Sancho - but it's not because I favour one over the other. I just thought Saka brought such energy to the game against Germany at Wembley, and such energy to the game against Czech Republic that I feel he comes back in.
"The Danish team won't enjoy playing against him - that's not to say they'd enjoy playing against Sancho or any other - I just think Saka had such an incredible influence on that crowd at Wembley.
"But it may not even be a four-man defence system - Gareth may match Denmark up. He did that against the German team, and I do think that because of the experience against Scotland, where England struggled against the wing-backs, that he may match them again"
INJURY NEWS
Italy and Spain are set to lock horns tonight at Wembley in the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Of course the Azzurri are going to be without Leonardo Spinazzola, who has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after suffering an Achilles injury against Belgium.
Spinazzola is set to be replaced by Chelsea ace Emerson Palmieri at left-back.
The Furia Roja, on the other hand, may be without Pablo Sarabia who suffered a thigh problem against Switzerland.
Manchester City ace Aymeric Laporte also missed a training session but that is understood to have been a simple matter of recuperation
EUROS RETURN
Euro 2020 action returns tonight as we have reached the semi-final stages.
Italy are going to square off against Spain at Wembley Stadium in what poses as the most exciting match of this round.
The winner will go on to face either England or Denmark in the esteemed ground later on Sunday.
The Three Lions will be in action tomorrow against Kasper Hjulmand's side
KEEP CALM AND HARRY ON
Two-thirds of England fans think football's finally coming home this summer ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark.
The Three Lions are two wins away from immortality but boss Gareth Southgate has warned the nation against getting carried away.
Almost 60 per cent of 8,595 fans polled backed England to beat Denmark on Wednesday before triumphing past either Italy or Spain in the final.
A more modest 26.7 per cent felt the country would just fall short while a timid 1156 supporters chose to sit on the fence.
KANE ON ERIKSEN
Harry Kane has revealed that he spoke to former Spurs team-mate Christian Eriksen after the Dane suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Finland.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Kane said: "I spoke to him after what happened and wished him well.
"He sent me a quick message back to say he's OK.
"I kind of left him alone. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for not just him but also his family.
"I'm sure he'll be cheering against me on Wednesday, and rightly so.
"We know that it has united Denmark as a team and pushed them on.
"We must focus on ourselves."
KANE TRIBUTE
Harry Kane will hand over a signed England shirt with Christian Eriksen’s name on the back tomorrow.
The Three Lions skipper is to make the presentation to Danish captain Simon Kjaer before kick-off.
Eriksen, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland.
But the Danes have bounced back since the incident to reach the semi-finals at Wembley.