‘Robbed Denmark blind’: Fans RAGE at Sterling for ‘diving’ for England penalty in Euro win as TWO BALLS seen on pitch in build-up

England are into a first major tournament final for 55 years but their Euro 2020 victory over Denmark at Wembley was not without major controversy as winger Raheem Sterling was accused of ‘diving’.

England edged out a resilient Denmark 2-1 after extra time in front of a raucous home crowd in London to set up a final with Italy at the same venue on Sunday, but some fans were left fuming at the nature of the Three Lions victory.

Mikkel Damsgaard gave Denmark the lead with a superb free-kick after 30 minutes, before an own goal from Danish skipper Simon Kjaer ensured the teams went in level at the break.

Neither side found the breakthrough in normal time, but it was England who put themselves in front in extra time when Harry Kane scored from the rebound when his penalty had been saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Kane scored the winner as England broke Danish hearts at Wembley. © Reuters

The circumstances of the spot kick were hugely contentious however, as Sterling weaved his way down the right wing before going down under apparent contact from Joakim Maehle.

The VAR backed the initial decision from Dutch referee Danny Makkelie and England were presented with the chance from which Kane ultimately scored.

How on earth is this a Penalty? Blatant pure #dive by #Sterling and then #VAR does what it always does in #England. Horrendous mistake. #ENGDEN #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/czWGuxCstx

— Partha Das (@ParthaCFC) July 7, 2021

But online, fans were accusing Sterling of carrying out a blatant “robbery” by allegedly diving to win the spot kick.

Never a pen. Never. Another of Sterling’s dives. He does them 3 times in every game

— Alex Truica (@AlexTruica) July 7, 2021

Never a penalty. Sterling dived again. Cheats.

— Vishal 🕉 (@VBG_10) July 7, 2021

Raheem Sterling has been absolutely spectacular this tournament, but that should never, ever be given as a penalty. Clear and obvious error and a shameless dive from Sterling — Denmark have been robbed blind with that call.

— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) July 7, 2021

The memes of Sterling’s alleged diving antics also made a big online splash. 

Sterling sprinting into the box pic.twitter.com/VMG7GZqavP

— Fabian Hällsten (@FabianHallsten) July 7, 2021

Sterling when someone taps his shoulder #ENGDEN pic.twitter.com/NonzwAFZyw

— 𝙂𝙡𝙚𝙣 (@BlaugranaGlen) July 7, 2021

Raheem Sterling vs Danemark |Skills & Highlights| EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/8IlzVaTCzj

— HaugeFan (@HaugeFan) July 7, 2021

To make matters worse for anyone supporting Denmark – who were most neutrals’ favourite team at the tournament after the harrowing ordeal with Christian Eriksen in the opening game – there were two balls on the pitch at the time of the debatable penalty awarded to England.

Referee Makkelie either missed the stray ball or decided that it wasn’t interfering with play, but many fans demanded that he should have halted the match and reset with a drop ball. 

THERE WERE TWO BALLS ON THE PITCH WHEN PENALTY WAS CALLED?!

(via @PietroMazzara ) pic.twitter.com/uSLwpedtvO

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 7, 2021

two balls on the pitch but play was never stopped …. i actually can’t believe their luck uno pic.twitter.com/VFOaTMtJH1

— charlie (@xchvrlie) July 7, 2021

Two balls on the pitch and a blatant dive. Never seen robbery like this pic.twitter.com/vAgSqFYqDu

— Mahdi. (@PrimeSancho) July 7, 2021

So used to heartache down the years, Three Lions fans cared little though – and let their rivals know it.

Gareth Southgate’s team now take on Italy at Wembley on Sunday in the biggest game for English football in more than half a century.

Did they have a spot of luck on the way? Maybe. Do they care? Not one bit.    

“Raheem Sterling went down easy” you say… pic.twitter.com/eUSvUHPmW2

— James Benge (@jamesbenge) July 7, 2021