England's John Stones hits back at Italian press as tensions rise for Euro 2020 final
England defender John Stones has hit back at criticism that the decision to award the Three Lions’ a penalty in their Euro 2020 semi-final win over Denmark was soft. A controversial spot-kick handed captain Harry Kane the opportunity to score the winning goal against the Danes and he landed England a place in their first major final since 1966.
Raheem Sterling darted into the penalty area in the first half of extra-time and was first clipped by Joakim Maehler before Mathias Jensen also made contact with the Manchester City winger.
Referee Danny Makkelie awarded a spot-kick – and had his decision vindicated by VAR – from which Kane converted the decisive goal after goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel parried the effort straight back to the Tottenham forward.
England had to come from behind to reach their first European Championship showdown, in which they will face Italy at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
Mikkel Damsgaard fired home a sensational 30-yard free kick to hand Denmark the lead. However, England can argue that the goal should not have stood as the Danish players were stood within one yard of the English wall, which is against FIFA’s Laws of the Game.
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