England shock Germany with two late goals to book their place in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals

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Germany have not lost a knockout match against England in a major international competition since the 1966 World Cup final, but second-half goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane ensured the hosts a 2-0 victory and passage to the quarter-finals.

For a neutral, it was definitely not a thriller. At times, both sides seemed more afraid of the prospect of losing than excited about the idea of ​​winning.

The opportunities were few and far between. Indeed, Germany had better chances until England took the lead in the 75th minute thanks to Sterling finishing from close range.

Playing in front of 40,000 spectators made Wembley Stadium feel like it could be, England took advantage of their chances when it mattered.

Gareth Southgate’s introduction of Jack Grealish in the second half also helped turn the game around.

Grealish has been involved in both England’s goals, and he will surely have bet his claim to first place in the next round.

As “It’s Homecoming” – the “Three Lions” choir, England’s approved anthem – echoed throughout Wembley, the English players took well-deserved laps of honor and indulged in flattering ecstatic crowds.

Nerves and expectations

Thousands of waiting fans gathered on Wembley Road – the famous road to England’s National Stadium – several hours before kick-off, their nerves on a cacophony of songs and chants that were never quite in sync.

The small pockets of German fans who made their way across the sea of ​​white shirts were met with loud shouts; They were vastly outnumbered in the 40,000 capacity crowd.

Although fans joined in on the songs unleashed on Wembley’s PA system, you’d be forgiven for thinking the stands were full with a capacity of 90,000 people – it’s been a while since England’s home ground bounced back and fluttered in the quiet. Like this, due to ongoing Covid restrictions in the country.

To their credit, the German fans who had gathered in the far corner of the floor continued to try to make their voices heard, but were drowned out by England’s partisan savage mob.

The noise – now taking the form of boos and derision – continued throughout the German national anthem, which was barely audible to the home team’s fans.

England have won a knockout match only once in the history of the European Championship, as they beat Spain in the quarter-finals on penalties at Euro 96.

Perhaps the current group of young English players seemed to be feeling the weight of expectations, their sloppy passes misguided as Germany dominated the first 10 minutes.

Then England’s defense disintegrated, with Leon Goretzka finding himself in a one-on-one confrontation with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, but Declan Rice was dragged down.

A nervous silence reigned over Wembley, the fans calmed down for the first time, while the English fans anxiously waited for the referee’s decision; He sighed as Germany was awarded only a free kick, even though Rice had a yellow card.

That moment seemed to galvanize England, who began attacking with some intent for the first time in every match. The first Sterling managed to save Manuel Neuer superbly, before the German goalkeeper headed Harry Maguire from the subsequent corner comfortably.

As things got tougher and the decibels increased, Southgate emerged as the quietest man inside Wembley Stadium, clutching his pockets as he roamed around his technical area, occasionally reaching out to offer some tactical advice to his players.

England certainly has the upper hand now, but without upsetting Germany too much. Maguire climbed high on the far post after some nice play between Calvin Phillips and Kieran Trippier, but his effort soared high over the bar when perhaps it should have been better.

Germany is gradually starting to get back into the game and had the best chance of the match when Timo Wiener played on goal. The angle may have been right, but Pickford fended off his efforts.

The away team was now beginning to enjoy control, and home fans’ frustration was compounded in a chorus of ridicule when Trippier had the opportunity to put the ball into the penalty area, opting instead for a short pass.

England captain and prolific striker Kane came under some criticism during Euro 2020, failing to make it to the scoresheet – or even get into the match – in all three of England’s group matches and only touched the ball twice in the opening. 30 minutes.

exorcism demons

Germany continued to improve at the start of the second half and almost gave England a cold in the first five minutes. It took a great save from Pickford to block Kai Havertz’s long-range shot, which looked for a split second as if it was slipping under the bar.

However, a run from Sterling, twisting this way and that between the German defense, put the crowd back on their feet. The Manchester City striker was looking to create an opportunity, but the wall of black shirts quickly closed to prevent any opportunity.

Both managers made their first changes just over 20 minutes before the end of the game, with Grealish reaching a massive roar as he replaced Bukayo Saka and Joachim Low and opted to bring in Werner in place of Serge Gnabry.

Then, all of a sudden, England fans got the achievement they had been hoping for.

Shaw found only a small space on the left side of the German penalty area and was picked up by Grealish, before firing in a delicious low cross straight across the goal that Sterling had on hand to cash in under Neuer.

Cue the hoopla inside Wembley, as fans finally begin to believe their heroine against Germany is about to end.

That feeling grew when Thomas Muller managed to score after Sterling gave the ball away on the cheap, but the Bayern Munich striker pulled his shot away.

At the other end of the field, Sterling sank in relief and pounded Wembley ground.

When Kane converted the second goal, heading Grealish’s cross, less than five minutes after Muller wasted, this host audience knew their team had reached the quarter-finals.

The noise inside Wembley was deafening – these fans hadn’t had such a chance to cheer for a quarter of a century. They will hope to go two steps further from 1996, but for now, they will only enjoy their second European Championship knockout win.

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