Fan View: Wembley parties like never before as Three Lions make history

How do you put a night like that into words?

There was the dreaded ‘oh no, not again’ feeling when Mikel Damsgaard’s free-kick flew past Jordan Pickford.

The relief and ‘ok, maybe this is different’ thoughts when Simon Kjaer diverted Bukayo Saka’s cross into the back of his own net.

The looming prospect of penalties and all that entails when the final whistle went, despite English dominance.

Then there was that moment. 

The moment Harry Kane’s follow up hit the back of the net. 

The moment England put themselves within touching distance of a first major tournament final in 55 years.  

To be inside Wembley for that moment will live with me forever.

It was pure unbridled joy. It was carnage. It was a mass of bodies all moving in different directions. It was strangers hugging each other. It was 18 months of Covid restrictions let out in one emotional moment. 

Wembley had already produced an atmosphere many did not think possible for the opening 104 minutes, for the final 16 it was something else.

Gala’s Freed From Desire was played at half-time in extra-time and the entire stadium — barring the small section of Danish fans — bounced along to it.

Even seasoned England followers, those who had seen all those previous disappointments first-hand, got carried away.

It felt like the ground had 90,000 people in it. 

The weirdest part was the lack of tension in the final five minutes. England were in control and the crowd knew it. 

The party was just about to get started and we all knew what was coming. 

Three Lions was up first as the lumps in the throat got bigger, then Sweet Caroline was oh so good, so good, so good. 

The players were as delirious as the fans in the ground. That connection grew. 

As it did with Gareth Southgate when he fist-pumped three times in front of the end housing England’s most loyal fans.

If we celebrate reaching a final like this, I cannot even begin to imagine what winning the trophy would entail.

Fireworks on Wembley Way topped off an incredible night.

Stories and experiences are often exaggerated over time. But that will not be the case with England’s 2-1 victory over Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final.

Being at the ground was every bit as good as you can imagine.