England are one step away from glory after beating Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 . The ‘ Three Lions ‘ return to a final 55 years later, although not without controversy. As happened in the only one they have played to date, the World Cup’66, in which they acted as hosts, arbitration rulings have marked the future of the English team. With the match tied, Danny Makkelie ate a pool from Raheem Sterling and pointed to the penalty spot, with Kane scoring the final goal.
The inventors of football will play the second final in their history, after a triumph that will be marked by the referee’s performance. As is its only title to date. In 1966, the British organized the World Cup and ended up winning, although also with some help from the referee. Then, it was the final that was also decided in the extension, due to a more than debatable performance of the refereeing team.
On this occasion it was the Dutch referee who was carried away by the fervor of the English public, who packed Wembley Stadium, to signal the maximum penalty on the Manchester City attacker. A penalty that was much discussed by Denmark, as is logical, but that the VAR did not correct. Although they reviewed the play, the referee did not want to go to the screen to see the action repeated.
Harry Kane pardoned from eleven meters, but took advantage of Kasper Schmeichel’s rejection of the center to overtake the English team, thus certifying the presence of the team led by Gareth Southgate for the final. A match that, like almost the entire tournament, will be played at Wembley.
The controversy of 66
In 1966, England hosted a World Cup for the first and only time. The British sport par excellence had the opportunity to add its first star and they did not miss it. Of course, the final referee and the assistant clearly marked the future of the decisive match, in which West Germany were measured.
Like now, where they have completed, despite everything, a great role, then they came to the game undefeated. The team led by Bobby Charlton won four of the five games they played until reaching the final. They only gave up a draw, on the first day, against Uruguay. After beating Portugal in the semi-finals, the ever-powerful West Germany awaited them in the final.
With a Wembley to the flag, in which almost 97,000 spectators entered, England began the game losing, with a goal from Haller. They tied shortly after, through Hurst and 12 minutes to go they traced the match. However, Weber sent the game into extra time at the last minute. As has happened against Denmark, in the overtime the referee’s performance was essential.
Swiss referee Gottfried Dienst was carried away by his assistant, Soviet Tofiq Bahramov, to concede Hurst’s phantom goal. The shot hit the crossbar and hit the grass, but at no time did it slip into the German goal. At the time, it was speculated that the rivalry between West Germany and the USSR had played a key role in the linesman’s decision. What is clear is that his decision left the Germans without the possibility of adding their second World Cup.
A historic opportunity
England will meet again with its history next Sunday. Accustomed to adding disappointment after disappointment, on July 11 they will have the chance to retaliate at home. As strange as it may seem, it will be the first time they have played a Euro Cup final. To date, they have only disputed the aforementioned 1966 one.
They will face the solid Italy. If there has been a better team than the English in this tournament, it has been Mancini’s. La Azzurra has been unstoppable since they began their career in this European Championship and, after eliminating Spain on penalties, they will seek what would be their second continental championship, in the fourth final they dispute.
Football against calcium, in what will be an exciting match held in a temple of the beautiful game such as Wembley. A European Championship that, despite being multi-venue, seems ready for the ‘ Three Lions ‘ to finally take it away. They will play their sixth game of seven in London, where they will also benefit from the measures adopted by the government – and allowed by UEFA – to force foreign tourists to quarantine for 10 days, so there will be insulting English representation in the stands .
