JOSE MOURINHO was stunned England were awarded the penalty that led to their winner against Denmark.
But despite his surprise at the decision, SunSport columnist Mourinho said the Three Lions more than deserved their historic victory.
Gareth Southgate’s heroes needed extra-time to beat the Danes after it finished 1-1 at the end of normal time.
They will meet Italy in Sunday’s final at Wembley – with touts flogging tickets for up to £50,000.
With the scores level at 1-1 at the end of normal time, Three Lions fans were sent to dreamland with just one minute of the first extra period to go.
Sterling was caught in the penalty area with ref Danny Makkelie pointing to the spot. Although it was arguably soft, VAR did not see a clear and obvious error as there was contact and Harry Kane stepped up.
The usually clinical hitman took a deep breath and hit a weak effort low to Kasper Schmeichel’s left and the Leicester goalie kept it out.
But the ball deflected back into Kane’s path and he slammed it in from close range to trigger glorious scenes inside the national stadium.
England held on against a shattered Denmark to set up a final Wembley showdown against Italy on Sunday and although he wasn’t sure about the penalty decision, new Roma boss Mourinho said they deserved it.
The Special One told TalkSPORT: “It was never a penalty.
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“The best team won. England deserved to win. England was fantastic but for me it was never a penalty.
“The best team won. England is a better team than Denmark.
“Denmark played the way I was expecting them to and they played until their limits.
“England were really really good and no doubt deserved to win that match. But for me it was never a penalty.
“And I think at this level – especially at this level – the semi-final of a Euros…
“I don’t understand really the referee’s decision and I understand even less the fact the VAR didn’t bring the ref to the screen or didn’t overturn the decision.
“For me it’s never a penalty. Not with [Jannik] Vestergaard or with the second defender.
“So as a football man I’m very happy England won, don’t get me wrong, and they deserved to win.
“But as a football man I’m disappointed the penalty was given.”
Mourinho wasn’t the only one baffled by the penalty decision with angry Danes and Italians accusing England of cheating and Sterling of diving.
As well as that, fans were also furious there were two balls on the pitch in the build up to the award.
And one mindless supporter also shone a laser pen at Schmeichel as Kane prepared to take the spot-kick and the Leicester man still saved it.
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