Agony & Ecstasy: England overcome Germany hurdle after 55 years to storm into quarters

DPA London England beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Tuesday to end 55 years of agony against their old foes, and the tenure of German coach ...

DPALondonEngland beat Germany 2-0 in the last 16 of Euro 2020 on Tuesday to end 55 years of agony against their old foes, and the tenure of German coach Joachim Loew as well.Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling scored in the 75th and captain Harry Kane finally found the net as well in the 86th in front of 45,000 ecstatic fans at Wembley with “Football’s Coming Home” echoing around the iconic arena after the final whistle.It was England’s first win over Germany at a big tournament since they beat them 4-2 in the 1966 World Cup final at old Wembley.Subsequent defeats included the Wembley penalty shoot-out loss at Euro 1996, with England’s current manager Gareth Southgate missing from the spot.England, who are yet to concede at the Euros, now leave Wembley for the first time to play at quarter-final on Saturday in Rome against Sweden or Ukraine, and would return to London for the rest of the tournament if they win.Germany go home after another modest tournament with just one victory, after a group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup, as Loew’s era ended in disappointment after 15 years on the job highlighted by the 2014 World Cup title.Loew had said before the tournament he would step down and his former assistant and ex-Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick is taking over.Germany kicked off after both teams took a knee and Leon Goretzka recorded a first shot on target which however was a tame effort into Jordan Pickford’s arms.England hardly saw the ball early on but the hosts finally became adventurous and the crowd excited by a curling long-range effort in the 16th from Sterling palmed away by Manuel Neuer.Werner had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 32nd, set up superbly by Chelsea team-mate Kai Havertz but denied by Pickford from short range from a left angle.England captain Harry Kane who had another quiet afternoon then almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time.Mueller played a disastrous ball in midfield, Sterling was stopped at the last instance by Matthias Ginter, the ball fell to Kane in the goalmouth but he failed to control it properly and Mats Hummels slid in well to clear.The second half started like the first and Havertz’ stunning volley in the 48th was just tipped over the bar by Pickford.Wembley finally erupted in the 75th when Sterling tapped in off Luke Shaw’s low cross from the left in fluid move which also involved substitute Jack Grealish and Kane for his third goal of the tournament.Sterling almost turned to villain six minutes later when he passed to Havertz who sent Mueller on his way but the recalled Bayern Munich forward aimed wide right with only Pickford to beat.But it was all over for Germany and Loew when Kane headed home off Grealish which set off incredible scenes as the dream of a first title since 1966 lives on, while tears flowed on the German side this time around.Scoreline: England 2 (Raheem Sterling 75’, Harry Kane 86’) bt Germany 0.