Kane-inspired England cruise past Ukraine into Euro semis

England stormed into the European Championship semi-finals for the first time in 25 years after two goals from Harry Kane helped Gareth Southgate’s side thrash Ukraine 4-0 on Saturday to book a clash with Denmark.

Kane got his side up and running in their quarter-final tie with a fine finish inside four minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, England’s earliest goal in a Euros match since 2004.

Harry Maguire’s bullet header less than a minute into the second half made it two, before captain Kane nodded home his second of the game and third of the tournament four minutes later.

Substitute Jordan Henderson completed the rout with his first international goal to ensure England’s comfortable passage into the last four, where they face the Danes at Wembley on Wednesday for a place in the final at the same stadium.

MATCH FACTS

England will play in their third semi-final at the European Championship, having previously done so in 1968 and 1996.

Gareth Southgate will be just the second England manager to take charge of England in the semi-final of both the World Cup and the European Championship, after Alf Ramsey in 1966 and 1968.

This was England’s biggest ever win at the European Championship, and their biggest win in the knockout stages of a major tournament. Indeed, England scored as many goals tonight as they had in their previous four EURO 2020 matches combined.

England have kept seven consecutive clean sheets for the first time in their history, with the Three Lions run without conceding currently standing at 662 minutes.

This was Ukraine’s joint-biggest defeat in a match at a major tournament, equalling their 4-0 defeat to Spain in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup.

Raheem Sterling has been involved in 22 goals in his last 21 games for England (15 goals, 7 assists), while Harry Kane has been involved in 27 in his last 26 for the Three Lions (18G, 9A).

Raheem Sterling has provided six assists for Harry Kane for England in all competitions, more than any England player has assisted another in the 21st century.

Luke Shaw’s assist for Harry Maguire was the first time two Manchester United players have combined for an England goal at a major tournament since David Beckham assisted Paul Scholes vs Portugal in EURO 2000.

England keeper Jordan Pickford has kept five clean sheets at EURO 2020 so far – no keeper has ever kept more in a single edition of the competition before.

Luke Shaw became the first England player to assist two goals in a single game at a major tournament since David Beckham did so against Trinidad and Tobago in the 2006 World Cup.

Jordan Henderson’s goal was his first for England in his 62nd appearance for the Three Lions. Of all players to score at least once for England, Henderson’s 62 games is the longest a player has ever had to wait (previously Sol Campbell, 47).