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3rd July 2021
10:18pm BST

England remained largely in control, and might have gone in at half-time with a two-goal lead had Declan Rice's fiercely struck shot been a yard either side of Heorhiy Bushchan.
After the interval, England didn't have to wait long to kill the game. A cheaply given away free-kick on the England left allowed Luke Shaw - magnificent again - to deliver the kind of set piece delivery that would've left Jose Mourinho shaking with rage, his blood pressure dangerously high. Harry Maguire couldn't miss. 2-0.
Four minutes later, another. Kane - unrecognisable from those lethargic performances earlier in the tournament - was picked out by another Shaw cross and nodded through Bushchan's legs. He might have had a hat-trick had the goalkeeper not turned his explosive volley behind soon after.
The result assured, Southgate could afford to shuffle his pack. On came Jordan Henderson, who marked his appearance with his first England goal. 4-0, half an hour still to play. Dreamland.
More substitutions followed. A combination of that, the Rome heat and the contest being well and truly settled saw the closing minutes of the game fizzle out without major incident.
And so, back to Wembley, where a sterner challenge will no doubt lie in wait in the shape of an impressive Denmark side. But after this, after the way in which England's performances have steadily improved over the course of this tournament, there is little for Southgate's men to fear. They are a game away from a first major final since 1966, on home soil, with a squad brimming with talent (Phil Foden and Jack Grealish didn't even see any action).
This, make no mistake about it, is a time for English football fans to dream.Explore more on these topics: