ENGLAND face Denmark in the semi-finals of Euro 2020 knowing they’re just one game away from their first major tournament final since the 1966 World Cup.
The Three Lions have lost their last four semis – including the 2018 World Cup and Euro 96.
Despite convincing knockout stage wins over Germany and Ukraine, Gareth Southgate will know Denmark will pose his side arguably their biggest test of the tournament.
The game takes place at Wembley on Wednesday, with kick-off at 8pm.
UK viewers can watch it on ITV for free or stream via ITV Hub.
BBC One will be showing the highlights at 11.30pm.
And, of course, SunSport will be providing top minute-by-minute coverage with our live match blog.
ENGLAND FORM GUIDE
Southgate produced a tactical masterclass as England won their tournament opener against Croatia 1-0.
But a goalless draw against Scotland – who finished bottom of Group D – left many fearing the worse.
A 1-0 victory over Czech Republic ensured England topped the group – setting up a date with the runners-up from the ‘Group of Death’.
The Three Lions made it look easy as they coasted past Germany 2-0 in the last 16 before hammering Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter-finals in Rome.
DENMARK FORM GUIDE
The Danes’ tournament got off to a horror start after star man Christian Eriksen collapsed in the first half of their opening game against Finland.
Denmark lost that game 1-0, before slipping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium with their Euro 2020 hopes seemingly in tatters.
But Kasper Hjulmand’s side thumped Russia 4-1 in their final group game to snatch a spot in the last 16, where they destroyed Wales 4-0.
A 2-1 win over stubborn Czech Republic in the quarters ensured they made it to the last four.
And at No10 in the world, they will be England’s highest-ranked opponents at this summer’s competition to date.
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ENGLAND TEAM NEWS
For Southgate, his biggest strength will also prove his biggest headache – his squad depth.
England have been fortunate enough to select a supremely talented 26-man squad.
And with Bukayo Saka returning from a minor knock, Southgate has all 26 stars available.
Among the biggest decisions will be who to start on the right-wing, with Phil Foden, Saka and Jadon Sancho all starting – and impressing – in that position during the tournament.
Elsewhere, Jack Grealish will hope to start in some capacity, but will find it hard to oust Raheem Sterling who has quickly become the favourite for Player of the Tournament.
England are likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 but have also fielded a 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 / 5-2-3 this summer.
ENGLAND LIKELY LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Rice; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane.
DENMARK TEAM NEWS
Denmark are set to stick with their hugely successful 3-4-3 as they aim to spoil England’s party.
With Premier League stars such as Kasper Schmeichel, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Andreas Christensen in the XI, they will have an inside knowledge of many Three Lions stars.
Despite an energy-sapping win over Czech Republic in Baku, Hjulmand is set to name an unchanged team at Wembley.
DENMARK LIKELY LINE-UP (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Christensen, Kjaer, Vestergaard; Stryger Larsen, Hojbjerg, Delaney, Maehle; Braithwaite, Dolberg, Damsgaard.
WATCH OUT FOR…
Harry Kane.
The England captain copped plenty of flak early in the tournament after failing to score in the group stage, looking largely anonymous.
But a goal against Germany and a double in the 4-0 win over Ukraine seems to have lit a fire under him.
Kane nearly had a hat-trick in Rome after his instinctive left-foot volley was smartly saved.
The effort, though, proved the Tottenham man is back to his lethal best, just when England need him most.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
