A FIFA rule that suggests Denmark’s opening goal against England last night shouldn’t have actually counted has been doing the rounds.
In the 30th minute of the game with the Three Lions struggling to stamp their mark on the game, Mikkel Damsgaard silenced the home fans with a remarkable free kick to give Denmark the lead.
Some will say Jordan Pickford could’ve done better but in truth, it was a sensational strike from a player who wasn’t even alive when England were last in a semi-final at the Euros.
The goal that shouldn’t have stood?
However, in the midst of all the excitement, it was pointed out on Twitter that several Danish players slid over towards the wall, seemingly in an attempt to block Pickford’s view of the free kick.
Denmark's wall slid over to block Jordan Pickford's view just before Damsgaard took his free kick.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) July 7, 2021
??? pic.twitter.com/mWh6BbcjZB
By the letter of the law through FIFA, the goal should have actually been ruled out.
“Where three or more defending team players form a ‘wall,’ all attacking team players must remain at least 1 metre (1 yard) from the ‘wall’ until the ball is in play.”
In the end it really didn’t make much of a difference to how things played out as England, through an own goal and Harry Kane’s penalty rebound, won the game to ensure their passage into a first major final since 1966.
The Danes may feel aggrieved due to the nature of England’s winner but when you weigh it up against this evidence, it seems as if things may have actually evened themselves out – with Gareth Southgate’s men certainly deserving the win based on the state of play. Moving forward, however, this may be something that UEFA keeps a closer eye on.
England will now be turning their attention towards Sunday night when they lock horns with Italy in the Euro 2020 final, in what can only be described as the country’s biggest game of football since the 1966 World Cup final.
Featured image credit: Getty