Sport

Sterling and Kane send England into Euro last eight with Germany romp

30 Jun 2021

England's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their first goal against Germany with teammates at Wembley Stadium. Reuters

Gulf Today Report

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane were on target as England ended Germany jinx and booked their berth in the quarter-finals of the Euro with a 2-0 win against Germany on Tuesday.

England, who had not beaten Germany since 1966, held their nerve to put an end to 55 years of hurt and pain.

Mbappe apologises for penalty miss in painful France defeat

England had last beaten the bitter rivals Germany in the final of the 1966 World Cup.

England's forward Raheem Sterling celebrates the first goal at Wembley Stadium in London on Tuesday. AFP

Germany had shown the exit doors to England in 1970, 1990 and 2010 World Cups. They also eliminated England from Euro with a victory in 1996 semi-finals.

A resolute England put up a gritty fight and frustrated the star-studded attack of Germany. Both the teams were trying hard to break the deadlock and go up.

But after a futile first-half, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate with neither of the side finding the back of the net, a charged-up England led by Sterling smashed two goals in quick succession to all but end Germany’s hopes.

Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (right) concedes England's first goal scored by forward Raheem Sterling. AFP

It was Sterling, who slotted the opener in the 75th minute to break the deadlock and put England 1-0 ahead.

The first goal took the lid off and suddenly injected a new lease of life in the England camp.

Three minutes to time, Kane collected a Jack Grealish pass and fired into the goal to make it 2-0. Before Germany could react to the situation, it was too late as referee blew the final whistle.