How was that a penalty?! The Danes can't accept the manner of their semi-final exit at the hands of England

Let's take a look at the bigger picture and consider the distress of Christian Eriksen's collapse in Copenhagen on only the second day of the Euro 2020 tournament. We could say that Denmark are the moral winners of the tournament. But it won't mean much to them because of the way they were eliminated at the hands of England on Tuesday night.

Raheen Sterling made the most of a situation in Denmark's box and fooled the referee Danny Makkelie into awarding a penalty for England. Highly-esteemed football people have raised their voice against injustice that spoiled the Danes' night.

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Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and football fans worldwide cannot believe that penalty decision in extra-time. The England fans are the only ones who don't see anything wrong with it.

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand praised his players for the effort they'd put in throughout the tournament, but he couldn't help but admitting his disappointment.

"It was a penalty which should not have been a penalty. It is something that 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."

It's a controversial call that will infuriate countless supporters for years to come and many key footballing figures have cast doubt on whether England should have been awarded the penalty. Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who now works as FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, thinks England shouldn't have had the spot-kick awarded.

"No penalty. I don't understand why they don't ask the referee to have a look at it. In a moment like that, it's important that the referee is absolutely convinced that it was a penalty. It was not clear enough to say: 'yes it is,' and at least he should have had a look on the screen. I don't know why the VAR didn't ask him to go. For me, it was no penalty, no. I think that VAR has let the referee down, not Denmark. Denmark is a bit unfortunate. I understand that it's difficult for the referee, but he must have a look at it."

Raheem Sterling goes down in the box (©AFP)

It's only the referee's decision that went England's way. The decision to have the semi-final in London was also one that helped The Three Lions reach their first major final since 1996. Not only that they were playing at their national stadium, but were helped by the absence of Danish fans. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, people from Denmark couldn't have arrived to support their team without staying in quarantine. Because of that rule, only the Danes who reside in England could be in the stands of Wembley Stadium. It's as if every aspect of the tournament has been set up to help Gareth Southgate and his team.

Peter Schmeichel won the 1992 European Championship with Denmark, but his son Kasper won't reach the same heights in 2021. He was annoyed by the fact that it was the penalty decision that settled the contest.

"The referee 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. Everyone but the England fans is saying it's not a penalty so I'm quite sure that the officials made the wrong call."

Wenger and Jose Mourinho don't agree often, but the Portuguese coach shares the stance about what has happened at Wembley Stadium.

"It was never a penalty! The best team won, England deserved to win, they were fantastic. But for me, it is never a penalty. Especially at this level, the semi-final of a Euro. I don't understand the decision and I don't understand even more the fact the VAR didn't overturn the decision. So as a football man, I'm happy England won, but as a football man I am disappointed that penalty was given."

Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger say it was not a penalty (©AFP)

Guess who thinks it was a definite penalty? Of course, Raheem Sterling.

"I went into the box, he stuck his right leg out and it touched my leg so it's a clear penalty."

Legendary English referee Mark Clattenburg says the Dutch referee Makkelie did make a mistake - although it wasn't that obvious.

"Defender Joakim Maehle made minor contact with Sterling. I don't think the tackle warranted a spot-kick in such a key moment. The Danes will argue it was harsh. But again it wasn't a clear and obvious error."

The English will continue to celebrate and not care about the controversy. All they care about now is Sunday and the big final against Italy.