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      Bukayo Saka hailed by Arsenal hero Ian Wright after becoming youngest star to start semi-final for England at Euro 2020

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      BUKAYO SAKA was ‘destined’ to make a record-breaking start for England against Denmark, according to Ian Wright.Arsenal legend Wright, 57, detailed how the winger’s emergence for the Three Lions did not happen overnight.
      Bukayo Saka became England’s youngest-ever semi-final starter at WembleyCredit: AP
      He told ITV: “We’re talking about someone that joined Arsenal’s academy at age seven.
      “He’s progressed through, he’s always been somebody that’s played at a higher level.
      “He’s played for England since he was 16, he’s played at every level.
      “He’s not just arrived here, he’s somebody that was destined to do what he’s doing right now.
      “That’s why everyone at Arsenal knows what he’s capable of, and we’re seeing it right now.”
      Saka became the youngest-ever player to start a semi-final for England’s senior men’s team on Wednesday, at the age of 19 years, 10 months and two days.

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      Ian Wright heaped praise on Arsenal star Saka ahead of the gameCredit: ITV
      It was his third appearance at Euro 2020 having been brought into the starting line-up for the group clash with Czech Republic.
      Fellow pundit and former England defender Gary Neville paid tribute to Gareth Southgate for giving Saka the opportunity.
      He stated: “It’s a massive achievement, but I think it’s typical of Gareth’s reign, where he’s ripped up the rule book.
      “You don’t have to be a starting player for a club, you don’t have to be at a fashionable club, you don’t have to be at a Champions League club, you don’t even have to be the most popular with the media or with the fans.
      “If you’re in form in training, he’ll pick you in a game, and it’s paying off.
      “The lads that are out on the pitch are the ones who have been in the best form, and Saka’s been electric in the games that he’s played.”
      What Saka’s done in the previous matches, he’s really embraced that challenge. Gareth Southgate
      Gareth Southgate has started Saka in three of England’s six Euro 2020 gamesCredit: Getty

      Southgate explained before England’s heroic 2-1 extra-time victory that Saka provided a better balance to the team than Jadon Sancho, who started the win over Ukraine.
      He said: “What he’s done in the previous matches, he’s really embraced that challenge.
      “We were very pleased with Jadon at the weekend.
      “Everybody knows we’ve got fantastic options in those areas but we felt for the balance of tonight that Bukayo is the right choice.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      England’s starting 11 against Denmark in huge Euro 2020 Semi-final More

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      Jordan Pickford breaks record for most minutes without conceding goal overtaking Banks – but let’s in five mins later

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      DENMARK opened the scoring against England – just moments after Jordan Pickford broke the record for most minutes without conceding.The 27-year-old had gone 725 minutes without conceding before Mikkel Damsgaard’s stunning free-kick put the Danes 1-0 up at Wembley.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Jordan Pickford was devastated to concede against DenmarkCredit: PA
      But was delighted when England equalised nine minutes laterCredit: Getty
      England rallied, however, and Bukayo Saka forced an own-goal to take the game to extra-time where Harry Kane scored a penalty winner to set up a final against Italy.
      Pickford broke the record in the 25th minute, overtaking Gordon Banks’ tally of 720 minutes.
      Banks set the record at the World Cup in 1966 – the only major tournament England have won to date.
      But Pickford’s impressive tally was stopped five minutes later when Damsgaard’s powerful effort smashed into the back of his net.
      The England goalkeeper will be disappointed to have conceded as the ball landed near the middle of his goal.
      Speaking to ITV Sport, ex-England assistant manager Gary Neville said: “Jordan Pickford should have done better.
      “The goal was coming. Denmark was getting through us far too easily, our back four were getting pulled apart.
      “It’s a long way out and I always think if the ball goes in the corner, then no problem. But that’s in the middle, the goalkeeper’s got to save that… he’ll be really disappointed.”

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      Gareth Southgate is yet to beat Denmark as England manager

      The last time Pickford let one in while wearing the Three Lions was against the Danes last October in their Nations League clash.
      He’s already guaranteed to win the tournament’s Golden Glove award after Italy stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma conceded against Spain in the other semi-final.
      Pickford’s blushes were spared in the 39th minute when a low cross from Arsenal youngster Bukayo Saka found the back of the opposition net.
      Denmark captain Simon Kjaer has the unwanted honour of an own goal after pressure from England’s man of the tournament Raheem Sterling.
      There have now been ELEVEN own goals at Euro 2020 – the most scored at single major tournament.
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      Why do England fans sing Sweet Caroline against Denmark and in Euro 2020 matches? What are the lyrics?

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      ENGLAND have reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals and have got better and better with each round.The Three Lions fans have also belted out a 1969 hit by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond before and after their games.
      England fans have loved belting out Sweet Caroline during Euro 2020Credit: Getty
      In fact, the hit has become so popular the Coldstream Guards played it in a rousing brass rendition in the hours before the Euros semi-final against Denmark.
      Why do England fans sing Sweet Caroline?
      Aston Villa and Chelsea fans will well know Sweet Caroline being played at Stamford Bridge and Villa Park.
      And boxing fans have been known to sing Sweet Caroline at the top of their lungs, particularly during Anthony Joshua fights.
      Neil Diamond released the hit Sweet Caroline in 1969Credit: PA:Press Association
      The Coldstream Guards played a rendition of Sweet Caroline ahead of England’s Euros semi-final against DenmarkCredit: Getty
      In a chat with talkSPORT, Wembley DJ Tony Parry made the decision to play Sweet Caroline in the win over Germany.
      He picked it instead of France 98 hit Vindaloo.
      “I was going to play ‘Vindaloo’, but went with my gut,” he said as he decided to play Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond.
      “Even the German fans were belting it out in the end. It’s a song that all fans can enjoy.
      “The match director said in my in-ear ‘the world’s been closed for 18 months… let ’em have it’.”
      What are the lyrics to Sweet Caroline?
      Where it began, I can’t begin to knowing
      But then I know it’s growing strong
      Was in the spring
      And spring became the summer
      Who’d have believed you’d come along
      Hands, touching hands
      Reaching out, touching me, touching you
      Sweet Caroline
      Good times never seemed so good
      I’ve been inclined
      To believe they never would
      But now I
      Look at the night and it don’t seem so lonely
      We filled it up with only two
      And when I hurt
      Hurting runs off my shoulders
      How can I hurt when holding you
      One, touching one
      Reaching out, touching me, touching you
      Sweet Caroline
      Good times never seemed so good
      I’ve been inclined
      To believe they never would
      Oh no, no
      Sweet Caroline
      Good times never seemed so good
      Sweet Caroline

      I believe they never could
      Sweet Caroline
      Good times never seemed so good More

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      Italy star Jorginho tipped to pip Lionel Messi to Ballon d’Or by ex-Chelsea chief Maurizio Sarri after Euro 2020 heroics

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      MAURIZIO SARRI believes Sunday’s Euro 2020 and Copa America finals could be a Ballon d’Or shootout between Italy’s Jorginho and Argentina legend Lionel Messi.Jorginho’s penalty sunk Spain in the Euros’ semi-finals on Tuesday night after his ever-present season for Champions League winners Chelsea.
      Jorginho’s cool shootout spot-kick put Italy in the Euro 2020 final as the latest step to becoming a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or awardCredit: AFP
      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi has racked up more impressive stats in Copa America to help Argentina to the finalCredit: Getty
      And ex-Blues boss Sarri has joined Italy striker Lorenzo Insigne in rating the back-to-basics midfielder as a shock rival to six-time world player of the year Messi at this year’s individual awards.
      The Lazio chief said: “If Italy were to win the European Championship, it is clear that he would become one [a favourite for the Ballon d’Or].
      “He is a refined player, probably not understandable by everyone.
      “You have to set your eyes on him and only watch him in the game.
      “He is so good and intelligent that he makes everything seem easy, rarely anything spectacular remains in your eyes. This is his greatness.”
      Meanwhile, attacking wizard Messi had his 34th birthday as he helped Argentina to Sunday’s Copa America final with hosts and big rivals Brazil.

      Ronaldo and Messi are both named in the Ballon d’Or all-time best XI
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      And his stats at his continent’s most prestigious tournament are just as impressive as his figures with Barcelona last term.
      Messi is both top scorer and provider at Copa America, with four goals and five assists.
      That was on the back of netting 38 goals and teeing up 17 goals as Barca finished a poor third in LaLiga but won the Copa del Rey.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Italy’s captain Chiellini ‘bullies’ Spain’s Alba during penalty shootout coin toss and playfully punches rival in face More

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      Harry Kane gives signed England shirt with Christian Eriksen’s name on to Denmark captain before Euro 2020 semi-final

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      HARRY KANE paid a touching tribute to Christian Eriksen by handing over a signed England shirt with his name on.The Three Lions captain gave it over to Danish captain Simon Kjaer moments before kick-off.
      Harry Kane paid tribute to Christian Eriksen before kick-offCredit: Reuters
      Eriksen, 29, suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland.
      The Danes bounced back in brilliant fashion and have been on an emotional rollercoaster to reach a historic semi-final.
      But they fell short as Kane’s extra-time penalty saw England set up a clash with Italy in the showpiece in a 2-1 victory.
      England’s tribute was greeted by a huge round of applause from all four corners of the ground.
      Kane, who played with Eriksen at Spurs, told talkSPORT before the game: “I spoke to him after what happened and wished him well.
      “He sent me a quick message back to say he’s OK.
      “I kind of left him alone. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for not just him but also his family.
      “I’m sure he’ll be cheering against me on Wednesday, and rightly so.
      We know that it has united Denmark as a team and pushed them on.
      “We must focus on ourselves.”
      Christian Eriksen was recently spotted by a young footy fan at a beach in Denmark
      Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s opening game

      Kieran Trippier, a former team-mate of Eriksen at Tottenham, said: “It’s hard to put into words because I played with him; I was close with Christian.
      “The most important thing is he is getting better.”
      “Turning his attention to Denmark, Trippier added: “If anyone thinks it will be easy, they are mistaken.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Baddiel and Skinner enjoy their song in the crowd of Euro 2020 semi-final More

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      Buzzing Boris goes wild with Carrie as he celebrates England win with Prince William at Wembley

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      BORIS Johnson and Prince William roared alongside thousands of fans after England made it into a major tournament final for the first time in 55 years. The Prime Minister thew his hands in the air and hugged wife Carrie as Harry Kane’s extra time winner hit the back of the net against Denmark.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Buzzing Boris celebrates with Carrie as England score against DenmarkCredit: AFP
      Wills jumped to his feet to cheer the goal, with BBC pundit Alex Scott and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan behind himCredit: AFP
      The Duke of Cambridge was also cheering on the Three Lions squad as they took one step closer to bringing it home.
      While England legends Paul Gascoigne and David Beckham were also among the stars at Wembley.
      Wills was snapped smiling with the President of Uefa Aleksander Ceferin ahead of the kick off.
      Boris donned an England shirt for the occasion, while Wills looked smart in a shirt and tie as his wife Kate Middleton self-isolates at home.
      The Duchess is isolating after a Covid contact as she attended Wimbledon.
      She was alerted after taking her seat in the Royal Box on Friday and left straight away at around 4pm before Briton Dan Evans took to the court.
      Kate, 39, had her second Covid-19 jab within five weeks of her first dose.

      William, President of the FA, celebrates England’s historic win at WembleyCredit: AFP
      The Prime Minister leapt into the air and went wild after Harry Kane’s stunning winnerCredit: Reuters
      Gascoigne wore a pair of sunglasses and light coloured suit for the gameCredit: Kevin Quigley/EURO20 Newspapers
      Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also at the stadiumCredit: AFP
      The Prince was seen laughing and smiling with the Uefa PresidentCredit: Getty
      Thrilled fans celebrated after Kane’s extra time goal sent England into the finalCredit: SWNS
      Missing the match may come as a blow to the mum-of-three, who was seen enjoying what’s believed to be her first England men’s football international in person.
      The family were spotted cheering as the Lions clinched an epic win over their old rivals on home turf.
      And while they weren’t among the fans lucky enough to watch England’s sensational 4-0 victory over Ukraine in Rome, William looked thrilled to be back in his seat for the game.
      William wrote on Twitter how he “can’t wait” for the England v Denmark match.
      After Saturday’s game, he tweeted: “Another top team performance and clean sheet from @England tonight. #ThreeLions .
      “Well played to Ukraine. Can’t wait for Wednesday’s semi final! Onwards W.”
      Millions of people across the country have celebrated the Lions’ sensational success so farCredit: AFP
      Harry Kane’s penalty secured England’s place in the Euro 2020 final against ItalyCredit: Getty
      It’s believed to have been the first time Kate had watched an England men’s football international in personCredit: The Sun
      One woman leapt into the arms of a pal after the final whistle wentCredit: PA
      Last week, the royals were joined by Beckham and his son Romeo, along with Ellie Goulding and Ed Sheeran and his wife Cherry.
      George’s trip to the football was an after school treat without his younger siblings, Charlotte, six, and Louis, three.
      Wills, who is the current president of the FA, was seen punching the air as Southgate’s men stormed to victory.
      It was a long day for the future king, who travelled back from Scotland after visiting a shipyard to meet the team building HMS Glasgow.

      But he’s regularly seen at games – and was at the stadium supporting England during their nail-biting 1-0 win against the Czech Republic.
      England have now beaten the Danes in 13 of their 18 encounters, winning in a competition for the first time since 2002.
      The two teams last met at a major tournament in 2002, with England hammering Denmark 3-0 on the Japanese island of Niigata in the last 16 of the World Cup.
      Gareth Southgate tells England fans to ‘party hard’ after sealing semi-final vs Denmark More

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      Gareth Southgate lookalike mobbed by England fans at Wembley after Klopp doppelganger stunt

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      A GARETH Southgate lookalike was mobbed by enthusiastic England fans as they headed to Wembley to watch the clash with Denmark.The impressive doppelganger even donned the Three Lion’s manager’s infamous lucky waistcoat from the 2018 World Cup.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      The impressive lookalike posed for pictures with fired-up England fans ahead of the gameCredit: PA
      The scenes outside the stadium before kick-offCredit: Maja Smiejkowska / Story Picture Agency
      Soutgate’s double was mobbed by happy fans outside of WembleyCredit: PA
      Dozens of boozed up fans jumped at the chance to get a selfie with Gareth, who posed in the same calm manner as the former England player.
      He held up one fist to the camera, and dressed in a blue shirt and red, blue and white tie as the other fans parties around him.
      The Southgate lookalike is not the first famous face doppelgänger to be spotted under the Wembley Arches.
      A multi-millionaire tycoon convinced journalists and fans that he was Jurgen Klopp during the last game.
      Ray Cornwell, 61, blagged the “kind of spontaneous” chat with Good Morning Britain’s Jonathan Swain at Wembley ahead of England’s match against Germany.
      He was dressed head to toe in Liverpool training kit as he joined excited fans and looked the spitting image of the Liverpool manager.
      He donned Soutgate’s famous lucky waistcoatCredit: PA
      Boozed up fans prepared to watch the Three Lions take on Denmark in pub gardens over the UKCredit: Getty
      One woman covered herself in flags and a scarf at BoxPark in CroydonCredit: Rex
      The Jurgen Klopp lookalike even managed to get onto TV pretending to be the Liverpool managerCredit: ITV
      Fired-up England fans packed out bars and pubs to neck pints ahead of the Three Lions’ first semi-final Euros game in 25 years.
      Supporters eagerly queued at bars across the country and arriving at Wembley Stadium ahead of the historic 8pm kick-off against Denmark.
      Flags were painted on roundabouts, hero Harry Kane was immortalised in a pizza and rooftops scream messages of support as the country came together.

      He was also mobbed by fans after England’s 2-0 win over GermanyCredit: Rex
      Fans got into the spirit of the celebrations with facepaintCredit: Getty
      Fans donned patriotic cowboy hats ahead of the gameCredit: Tom Bowles / Story Picture Agency More

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      Watch Italy captain Chiellini ‘bully’ Spain’s Alba during penalty shootout coin toss and playfully punch rival in face

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      GIORGIO CHIELLINI was captured psyching out Spain captain Jordi Alba before Italy’s penalty shootout win. The two skippers came together for the coin toss and it was there Chiellini got hands on with Alba.
      Giorgio Chiellini was captured psyching out opposing captain Jordi AlbaCredit: Reuters
      Giorgio Chiellini and Jordi Alba pictured embracingCredit: Reuters
      He grabbed, pushed and even playfully punched the Barcelona left-back despite then giving him a hug.
      According to the Mail, Alba was under the impression that referee Felix Brych’s coin had fallen for Spain.
      It had a blue an a red side, and when it came up red the left-back thought he had the pick of the ends – but red had actually been designated to Italy by German official Brych.
      Two tosses took place, first to decide the ends and then who shoots first, and both landed for the Azzurri.
      Fans picked up on the bizarre embrace and were convinced Juventus legend Chiellini was doing his best to get in Alba’s head.
      Some even suggested he was ‘bullying’ his smaller rival.

      Still can’t get over how funny Chiellini was before the shootout, the bloke punched Alba, bear hugged him a few times, and pushed him. It was absolutely ridiculous and very enjoyable.— Muddassir Hussain (@muddassirjourno) July 6, 2021

      One tweeted: “My word, Chiellini cooked Alba. Real leader. Alba drives home no confidence.”
      Another posted: “He was playing mind games and Alba knew it.”
      One commented: “The penalty shootout was over before it began. Italy had this wrapped up.”
      Another said: “Still can’t get over how funny Chiellini was before the shootout, the bloke punched Alba, bear hugged him a few times, and pushed him.
      “It was absolutely ridiculous and very enjoyable.”

      Never seen someone get so alpha’d on live tv 😂— nick (@nickgents21) July 6, 2021

      He was playing mind games and Alba knew it— ً (@MLWIV14) July 6, 2021

      Friendship? He was trying to get in his head and it worked— FinianS (@s_finian) July 6, 2021

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      The European Championship semi-final was played at Wembley but still had Italian and Spanish fans in attendance.
      Before the coin toss, Spain keeper Unai Simon sneakily began walking down towards the end which had the majority of his fans sitting.
      But after Chiellini won the toss, he chose the end where Italian supporters were sitting.
      It proved a smart decision, as they went on to win 4-2 on penalties and on Sunday will face the winner between England and Denmark.
      Italy beat Spain on penalties after 1-1 draw to progress to Euro 2020 final at Wembley More