Ledley King has praised Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling in his Evening Standard column for how he won England a penalty against Denmark in their Euro 2020 semi-final.
The Three Lions came from behind to beat Denmark on Wednesday and set up a Wembley showdown with Italy. Harry Kane scored the winning goal on the rebound of his missed spot-kick, won by Manchester City’s Sterling in extra-time.
Many have questioned referee Danny Makkelie’s decision to deem Mathias Jensen to have fouled Sterling and point to the spot. That includes Roy Kane and Jose Mourinho, who told talkSPORT it was ‘never a penalty’.
King admits Makkelie was generous to give the all-important Three Lions penalty nearing half-time in extra-time. But the Tottenham icon also praises Manchester City’s Sterling for giving the referee a decision to make, as England have been too honest in the past.
“For me, Raheem Sterling winning the penalty against Denmark was a good example of England’s new street-smarts,” King wrote. “I thought it was generous but, crucially, Raheem gave the referee a decision to make. There was some contact.
“It was minimal and, as a centre-half, I would normally side with the defender. I’ll admit I wouldn’t have liked that one given against me! But Raheem was brave, he was positive.
“He got himself into a position in the box, felt the contact and went down. Then it was up to the referee and VAR. The bottom line is we have too often been the nice team that finished second, while watching other nations take every advantage they can get.”
Manchester City’s Sterling and England will need their ‘street smarts’ against Italy
Sterling has been one of the real stars of the show for England at Euro 2020, but the Manchester City winger and Three Lions will need all of their ‘street smarts’ if Gareth Southgate’s side are to beat Italy at Wembley on Sunday night.
The Azzurri have been one of the teams of the tournament and whoever wins on Sunday between Southgate and Roberto Mancini will stake their claim to being the manager of the tournament. Italy are also a ferocious monster of a side to beat at both ends of the pitch.
Their defence knows how to shut out opponents like few others – and have an incredible record of not conceding more than once in their last 36 games. They have also not trailed in any of their last 24 matches, and are unbeaten in their last 33 internationals.
Ciro Immobile, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Insigne, Matteo Pessina and Federico Chiesa have all scored twice at Euro 2020, as well. Chiesa also netted both of his goals at Wembley in Italy’s Last 16 and semi-final wins. So, England will face challenges at both ends on Sunday.
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