For the first time in 25 years,England will be competing in the European Championships semifinals round after a dominant 4-0 victory over Ukraine.
This was only England’s third-ever knockout stage victory in the European Championship, but nerves were calmed by goals at the start of each half.
In the fourth minute of the match, Harry Kane buried a shot off a Raheem Sterling assist to set the tone early.
The combination of Sterling, who has been one of England’s best players in the tournament, and Jadon Sancho, who started for the first time this tournament, provided creativity and speed that Ukraine simply could not contain.
England has not yet conceded a goal in five games. The best chance for Ukraine fell to Roman Yaremchuk, but England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was not challenged enough as he parried it away.
England’s second goal came off of a cross from Luke Shaw, finished by Harry Maguire to double the lead to 2-0.
Promptly after, Kane headed in the third goal of the match off of another Shaw assist.
Ukrainian goalkeeper Heorhiy Bushchan denied Kane’s hattrick by saving a powerful volley. The resulting corner ended up in the back of the net off of a Jordan Henderson header. This was Henderson’s first-ever England goal.
With England in complete control, their fans chanted “it’s coming home” as the final minutes ticked down. This phrase is a chorus to the team’s adopted anthem, “Three Lions.”
The last time England reached the final of a major tournament was in 1996. Recent letdowns have come in the 2018 World Cup where Croatia defeated England 2-1 in the semifinal and a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands in UEFA’s Nations League tournament in 2019.
“I suppose it’s still sinking in that it’s another semifinal — three in three years,” England coach Gareth Southgate told the BBC.
“We want to go two steps further. I know what will be happening at home. It’s lovely to see everyone on a Saturday night, beer in hand. They should enjoy it. It’s been a long year for everyone. I’m chuffed the two performances have brought so much happiness to people.”
“The players have been fantastic,” added Southgate. “To play as well as they did in a game with so much resting on it was impressive. The spirit in the group is phenomenal.”
England will now face Denmark, who defeated the Czech Republic to earn their place in the semifinal. Southgate’s squad will enjoy home-field advantage as both the semifinal and final match will be played at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
