Shillong, July 8: England have qualified for the first time to a major tournament since 1966 by handing Denmark 2-1 defeat in the extra – time of semi-final clash at Wembley on Thursday morning (IST).

Denmark scored the opening goal in the 30th minute of the first half with a sublime freekick by Damsgaard. England played better football and found their equalizer through an own goal by Kjær in the 39th minute.

At the end of normal time of 90 minutes, the score remain one all. The English side sealed the deal at the first half of extra-time against Denmark via a controversial penalty after Raheem Sterling went down with minimum contact allowing captain Hary Kane to convert from 12 yards to send England to their first ever European Champion.

Denmark end their emotional journey from the fear and distress after their main man Christian Eriksen collapsed in the first game of the tournament. Securing second place in Group B after winning only one game seeing them beating Wales 4-0 in the Round of 16 and a hard-fought triumph against the black horse Czech Republic in the Quarter Final with a 2-1 win.

England will now face the Azzurri side Italy in the final at Wembley Stadium.