Danny Makkelie deserves a statue next to Wembley if England win the European Championship. The Dutch referee helped the ‘home country’ on Wednesday evening in the semi-final against Denmark. Makkelie gave a very easy penalty to part-time diver Raheem Sterling. Captain Harry Kane scored in 2 instances and shot England towards the final.
Was it the 50,000 fans in the stands clamoring for a penalty, or was it making up for the penalty kick that wasn’t given in regular time? Mackie will know. There was contact, so VAR Pol van Boekel could not intervene and reverse the decision.
Earlier penalty moment
Fifteen minutes before the end of the game, a large part of Wembley was already screaming for a penalty, then there seemed to be more going on. Kane was then run over by a Danish player, but Makkelie saw it differently. The Dutch referee gave a free kick to Denmark and was supported by Van Boekel.
Enjoy little
Compared to the previous semi-final between Italy and Spain, there was a lot less to enjoy. Mikkel Damsgaard’s opening goal in the first half woke everyone up. The Dane decided to whine a free kick against the ropes. After that, the shock was good in the stands, because ‘Football was coming home’, right? Fortunately for the enthusiastic fans, it was already right moments later.
Simon Kjaer slipped the ball unhappily behind goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel: own goal number 11 this European Championship. Very little happened after the break, except for the penalty moment. For a moment, the whole of Wembley seemed to be able to cheer, but a header from Harry Maguire was beautifully saved by Schmeichel. So we extended again (for the 7th time this European Championship).
Broken Danes
Denmark was actually already broken after the 60th minute and of course they hoped for penalties. They got those too, but then against one. Doubtful or not, the ball went at 11 meters. Kane first shot at Schmeichel, but managed to score in the second instance. After the goal, the English victory was no longer in danger.
As a result, England can return to Wembley on Sunday, for the 6th time this tournament. It plays against Italy, which won against Spain the day before.
