Danish media have reacted with bitterness to England's extra-time victory in the Euro 2020 semi-final, criticising the penalty decision and an incident involving a laser pen. The match, which saw Denmark take an early lead before an own goal levelled the scores, was decided by a Harry Kane penalty after Raheem Sterling was fouled in the box.
Newspaper Berlingske ran the headline 'There was no penalty', disputing the decision that led to England's winning goal. Tabloid Ekstra Bladet condemned the 'disgusting and cowardly trick' of an England fan who shone a laser at Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as Kane prepared to take the spot-kick.
In a particularly scathing piece, journalist Poul Hoi criticised UK leadership and Covid-19 death toll, suggesting Danes were 'lucky' not to live in Britain. 'Let the English party,' he wrote. 'They have nothing else.' He added that the pandemic response was 'characteristic of a country that is so convinced of its exceptionalism that it even thinks itself exempt from a pandemic.'
Despite the criticism, many Danish newspapers also praised their team's performance. Politiken described 'a beautiful Danish defeat', while former national coach Åge Hareide said the team had 'its brightest days ahead'. Jyllands-Posten struck an upbeat tone, telling fans to be proud and look forward to a 'golden future'.
