England winger Raheem Sterling has hit back at suggestions that he dived to win the penalty that led his side to the Euro 2020 final.
Just a few minutes before the extra time, Sterling went under a challenge from Denmark’s left back Joakim Maehle and won his side a penalty. Harry Kane’s effort was originally saved by the outstanding Kasper Schmeichel, only for the Tottenham man to kick home the return.
Schmeichel saves from the place … BUT CAN SLAMS HOME ABOUT THE AWARD! ???????????????????? # ONE lead in extra time !!! ? # ENGDEN | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/kZdBM3deRe
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2021
Replay did not seem to show much contact between Sterling and Maehle, and fans were divided on whether the punishment was the right decision, but Sterling himself was convinced that he had been unfairly triggered.
“I went into the box and he (Maehle) stuck out his leg and touched my leg, so it was a clear penalty,” Sterling told ITV after the match.
This confidence was not shared by Denmark’s manager Kasper Hjulmand, who was disappointed to see a European semi-final decided by both a controversial penalty decision and a refusal to admit a second ball on the pitch at the time.
“It was a punishment that should not have been a punishment,” he said (via Sky Sports News). It’s something that’s annoying me right now. We are very disappointed. You can not pass the ball on the field that has so much influence on the game.
“I know it sounds weird right now but I can not help but have these feelings. One thing is to lose a game, it happens, but losing in this way is disappointing because these guys have fought a lot.
“It feels bitter but we have to digest this before we can discuss these feelings. It’s a bitter way to leave the tournament. The way we lost makes it harder to understand why we lost. I have to be careful what I say. We have a fantastic group and we can definitely do something fantastic again. “
WHAT AN ANSWER FROM # ENG! @ BukayoSaka87 puts it on a plate … and Kjaer can only divert the ball in his own net! #ENGDEN | #ITVFotboll | # Euro2020 pic.twitter.com/XdqeXugLZA
– ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2021
Despite the controversy, it was another fantastic achievement from Sterling, who continues to fight to win the award for the tournament’s best player.
“It was a top performance,” added the Manchester City winger. “We really had to dig deep and it was the first time we conceded this tournament. But we did it and won the game.
“We knew we had to be patient. We knew with our legs and the aggression and the power that we could get it done. And we got the punishment in the end. It is another step in the right direction. “
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