Peter Schmeichel claims the referee ‘made a REALLY big mistake’ by awarding England a penalty and insists ‘EVERYONE’ is saying it was the wrong decision – as Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand admits ‘I feel bitter’ after their semi-final defeat
Peter Schmeichel bemoaned the referee’s ‘really big mistake’ to give England a penalty in extra-time after Denmark were dumped out of Euro 2020 in Wednesday night’s semi-final – as boss Kasper Hjulmand admitted he feels ‘bitter’ about the way his side were beaten.
Harry Kane saw his penalty saved by Schmeichel’s son Kasper but the England striker followed up to score the rebound to net the winner for Gareth Southgate’s side in extra-time.
Referee Danny Makkelie awarded England the penalty after Raheem Sterling went down in the box under the challenge of two Denmark defenders.
Peter Schmeichel claimed the referee’s ‘big mistake’ cost Denmark a place in Euro 2020 final
England were awarded a contentious penalty in extra-time after Raheem Sterling went down
Former England striker Ian Wright admitted they were ‘lucky’ to get a penalty and Schmeichel admitted the defeat is ‘hard to accept’ because the referee made the wrong decision.
Speaking on beIN SPORTS following Denmark’s 2-1 loss, the legendary ex-goalkeeper said: ‘He made a really big mistake on the penalty and this will be debated for a long, long time. It’s a hard one to take because it’s not a penalty.
‘I would have been much more relaxed and acceptable if they had scored one of the many chances that they created but unfortunately the referee made a big mistake in my opinion.
‘I know in your opinion (points at other pundits in the studio) and everyone’s opinion, my phone has not stopped going off, everyone else is saying it’s not a penalty so I’m quite sure that I’m [right in saying that].’
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand admitted he felt bitter after England ended his battling side’s Euro 2020 dream at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Harry Kane saw his penalty saved but tucked away the rebound to send England to the final
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand admitted he feels ‘bitter’ by the way England won
Hjulmand was unhappy there was a second ball on the pitch at the time of the foul but also insisted it was not a penalty.
He added: ‘It was a penalty which should not have been a penalty. It is something which annoys me right now. We are very disappointed.
‘You cannot pass by the ball on the pitch which has so much influence on the game.
‘I know it sounds weird right now but I cannot help having these feelings. One thing is to lose a game, it happens, but losing this way is disappointing because these guys have fought a lot.
‘It feels bitter but we have to digest this before we can discuss these feelings. It’s a bitter way to leave the tournament.
‘The way we lost makes it harder to understand why we lost. I have to be careful with what I say. We have an amazing group and we definitely can do something great again.
‘Maybe it is easier for me to say how I feel in a few days.’
The Denmark players were in tears at the end after their fairytale Euros run came to an end