Did England Deserve to be in the Euro 2020 Finals?

It took a Simon Kjaer own goal and an Oscar-worthy performance from Raheem Sterling, but England is on its way to the EURO 2020 final after defeating Denmark 2-1 in the semifinal of Europe’s most prestigious football tournament Wednesday in London.

The win marks England’s first foray into the final of a major tournament for the first time since 1966, when they defeated what was then West Germany and won their first and only World Cup on home soil.

The “Danish Dynamite” struck first when Mikkel Damsgaard hit a majestic 25-yard free-kick that beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 30th minute. It was the first goal allowed by the Three Lions in the tournament.

England answered less than ten minutes later, as midfielder Bukayo Saka hit a perfect cross to Sterling, which ended up in the back of the net after hitting Simon Kjaer for an own-goal.

While England missed opportunities throughout, they were able to capitalize and deliver when it mattered most.

Sterling was awarded a controversial penalty when Mathias Jensen made minimal contact with him in the box.

“I went into the box, and he [Jensen] stuck his right leg out,and it touched my leg,” Sterling said.” It’s a clear penalty.”

Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand didn’t see it that way.

“I’m disappointed we were so close to a final and it was decided that way,” he said. “It shouldn’t have been a penalty.”

Harry Kane took the penalty, and, while his initial strike was saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, he took advantage of the rebound and put it in the back of the net, sending Wembley Stadium into absolute pandemonium.

“They can see what it’s meant to the whole country and what it’s meant to the fans in the stadium,” said England coach Gareth Southgate. “I’ve never known the new Wembley like this.”

Schmeichel, for his part, had a great game, making numerous stops and keeping his team firmly in the match. However, his dismissive remarks to a British journalist on Tuesday came back to haunt him.

When asked what it would mean to stop [the final] from coming home, the Leicester City star laughed and replied, “Has it ever been home? Have you ever won it?”

England will host Italy at Wembley on Sunday, July 11 at 3 p.m. ET in what is sure to be an interesting final. Catch all the action on ESPN and Univision.