A new and improved England show just how far they have come

A period of England's gripping win over Denmark in the Euro 2020 semi-final where nothing much happened at all was arguably the most satisfying of all for those watching on.

The Three Lions are into a first major tournament final for 55 years having outlasted the Danes in an exhausting and exhilarating final four match at Wembley on Wednesday night.

An own goal from skipper Simon Kjaer cancelled out a stunning Mikkel Damsgaard free-kick only for home captain Harry Kane to slam home what proved to be the winner after his extra-time penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

The final whistle from referee Danny Makkelie brought decades of emotion pouring out as fans and players alike basked in the history of what had just unfolded. But it was perhaps the moments before that highest of highs where the real pleasure lay.

There was to be no danger, no late heart-stopping scare. There was instead a team, a proper tournament team at last, completely at ease with who they have become and safe in the knowledge that this time, this time, they would not throw it away. They kept the ball, they moved the Danes around, they took the ball to the corner, they wasted time. In short, they did everything that others have done to them so many times before - and they did it brilliantly.

For the 60,000 watching on, having watched a true thriller, a contest often rushing from one end of Wembley to the other, play out in front of them, the drama-free minutes that closed it could scarcely have been more different or indeed more welcome.

It was a contrast too to three years ago when an out-on-their-feet England finally succumbed to Croatia at the same stage of the World Cup in Russia having given everything but knowing deep down it was never going to be enough.

But this time there was to be no surrender, only resolve, as a side renewed responded to first-half adversity and roared back first to level and then to win it in the extra 30 minutes.

"What we said to them before the game is that they've found ways to win matches over the last three or four years in whatever circumstances it's taken," the manager said in the aftermath, Wembley still rocking.

"Whether leading from the front, whether that's been having to come from behind, whether that's taken extra time, penalties, they've found those solutions.

"We wanted them to have the confidence in that and so I felt very dominant in that period, the last half an hour of normal time.

"And of course the extra time I think we had a bit more legs, a bit more energy. Denmark made a lot of changes early on in the game and weren't able to change later. But the strength of our bench has been an asset, there's no question about that.

"The depth of the squad is why we are where we are and the mentality of the squad is why we're in the position we're in."

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That strength in depth was shown when Southgate called Jack Grealish's number with 20 minutes to go. The crowd rose in expectation at what was to come with the Aston Villa playmaker having already shown his worth at this tournament in the wins over the Czech Republic and Germany.

But instead something altogether different as the substitute himself was subbed, with Kieran Trippier coming on late to offer more steady reinforcement after Kane's pivotal goal.

"We made that decision, not an easy one, but Jack has totally understood it," Southgate added. "In the end he said to me 'well, gaffer it doesn't matter, I'm not really bothered because we've got to the final!"'

It is a final a long time coming. 25 years on from his own lowest point, against Germany at Euro 96, the significance of this run all the way to the final game has never been lost on the man who has inspired it.

But now the "biggest possible test", to quote Southgate, and Italy in Sunday's showpiece.

The Italians are 33 matches unbeaten and for much of this tournament have been its standout team. Roberto Mancini has them humming and while they still have the dogged determination in their DNA from generations of their countrymen before them, this is a bright, exciting Italian vintage, one whose wealth of attacking talent very much could blow England away on Sunday if they're not absolutely right.

"I think Denmark have only lost four matches out of 30-odd," Southgate added. "Italy's record is even better than that.

"They've been a top team for the last couple of years. We followed their progress closely. We know the way they play.

"They play with great energy, they play with great style. They're, as always, difficult to score goals against so without doubt they deserve to be in the final. They've beaten two top teams to get there in Belgium and Spain.

"It's the biggest possible test we could have. We've a day less to recover but we have got to prepare from now and of course it's wonderful to have that opportunity to take them on."