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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Kieran Lynch

Gary Neville says England would have beaten Denmark regardless of extra-time penalty decision

England reached the Euro 2020 final following an extra-time winner against Denmark which came about as a result of a controversial penalty decision.

Raheem Sterling went down from a challenge by Danish wing-back Joakim Maehle, before Harry Kane poked home from the rebound after his penalty was saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Many believe the Manchester City man went down too easily, and former England international Gary Neville agreed that The Three Lions were fortunate to get the decision.

Neville still believes, however, that England deserved to win the semi-final clash and would have found a way to score in extra-time if the decision had been overturned by the VAR.

"Never a penalty in a million years," Neville told Sky Sports. "I always think, what would the headlines be, how would we feel this morning, if we were on the other end of that penalty? We’d be absolutely devastated.

"But I genuinely think that team would have succeeded without that penalty. I think it would have done something different and got that goal.

"When (Kasper) Dolberg and (Mikkel) Damsgaard went off for Denmark, the game changed completely, and they lost their legs.

"I think the goal would have come. It was never a penalty, it was really soft, but I’m glad we got it."

VAR did take a look at the decision after the spot-kick was awarded, but the officials agreed with the on-field decision made by the referee.

Despite calls by some that Sterling bought the penalty, the Manchester City winger was insistent after the game that he was legitimately fouled.

"Yeah," he said when asked by ITV if it was a definite penalty. "I went into the box, he stuck he right leg out and he touched my legs, so it's a clear penalty."

Kane's extra-time winner means England will compete in their first major final in 55 years when they face Italy at Wembley this Sunday.

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