Jose Mourinho told talkSPORT that Manchester City winger, Raheem Sterling, should ‘never’ have been awarded a penalty last night.
England beat Denmark 2-1 to reach the final of Euro 2020, but it came after extra time, with Sterling winning the penalty that led to Harry Kane scoring the decisive goal.
Kane’s actual spot-kick was saved but it all led to England turning around the game after going 1-0 down inside half an hour.
But along with Mourinho’s brutal and straightforward thoughts on the matter, Roy Keane offered similar views whilst working for ITV (07/07/21 at 10:50 pm).
“I don’t think it’s a penalty,” said Keane. “But Sterling got stronger as the game went on. When you have people who can go past people, it just opens their game. I think very, very soft.”
“I am not sure you want to listen to my opinion,” said Mourinho. “Maybe you don’t like my opinion.
“But it’s never a penalty. Never a penalty. The best team won. England deserved to win. They were fantastic. But, for me, it’s never a penalty.
“I think, at this level, especially at this level, a semi-final of a Euro. I don’t understand the referee decision. I don’t understand less the fact that the VAR didn’t bring the referee into the screen. Never a penalty.”
Well, England fans up and down the land won’t give a care in the world whether or not that was a penalty.
After years and years of hurt, bad luck, this is probably fitting for the Three Lions, who are now 120 minutes away from creating history.
Sterling will play a key role if England are to get over that line because he has been remarkable throughout the tournament.
But Italy have probably been the best team of the tournament and their experienced yet aggressive and forward-thinking side will be a big threat on Sunday.
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