England produced a magnificent display as they thrashed Ukraine in Rome to set up a Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark at Wembley after Gareth Southgate's victory over Germany in the last 16 by producing a performance of composure and the highest quality to continue their impressive progress in this tournament.
Ukraine barely threatened and England were on their way to a second successive semi-final when Harry Kane followed up his goal against Germany by poking home a superb pass from Raheem Sterling after only four minutes.
Defender, Harry Maguire, then powered home a header from Luke Shaw's free-kick seconds after the break. Full-back Luke Shaw was the creator once more four minutes later with a perfect cross that was headed in from six yards by Kane.
An impressive England overpowered Ukraine with substitute Jordan Henderson getting the fourth goal when he arrived with perfect timing to head in Mason Mount's corner. To add to Southgate's satisfaction, they kept their fifth successive clean sheet to maintain their record of not conceding a goal at Euro 2020.
Southgate's faith was rewarded when Kane got off the mark with England's crucial second in the 2-0 win over Germany. It was the catalyst for the real Kane to come alive in the tournament - and he punished Ukraine in trademark style by pouncing for his first, then rising to power in a second goal - and almost completed a hat-trick with a left-foot volley that was turned on to the post by Ukraine keeper Georgi Bushchan.
On social media, midfielder Henderson wrote; ‘Means everything to get on the scoresheet for my country! In a Euros quarter-final is even better. Lads were outstanding. Full focus on the semis!’
Former England striker and pundit Alan Shearer wrote; ‘When you consider the amount of football some of these players have played over a long season they had, to still have this energy and attitude they had [towards the end of the game].. they are still in tune and still trying to press and win that ball back. It is such a positive for England.’
Denmark's emotional Euro 2020 campaign continued as they marched on to the semi-finals courtesy of a victory over the Czech Republic in Baku earlier. After the game, Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said he felt his squad will have Eriksen in their thoughts when they take on England.
"I definitely feel it," he said. "The whole world of football understood that second, and the days after, the fundamental things in life and in football, the fundamental values of football came through right at that moment.
"I am still thinking of Christian every single day. He should have been here."
England and Denmark will now meet in the last four at Wembley on Wednesday.
