Kane responds to Kasper Schmeichel after Denmark goalkeeper's "it's coming home" dig

July 7, 2021 By Ali M.

Topics: Kasper Schmeichel, Harry Kane, England, Denmark, UEFA Euro 2020

The Leicester City shot-stopper shut down the "it's coming home" catchphrase. Here's what the England captain had to say on this matter.

"It's coming home" is a popular phrase among England supporters whenever the Three Lions embark on a major international tournament, with this catch-phrase being seen as a call for silverware to be brought to the country credited for founding modern day football.

And given that several talented players are at Gareth Southgate's disposal, not to mention their excellent form in Euro 2020, several supporters truly believe this will be the year it comes home. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, however, was having none of this when this issue was brought up in a recent pre-match press conference.

Harry Kane and Co. are set to lock horns with the high-flying Scandinavian nation in what should be an interesting semi-final showdown. Not many expected De Rød-Hvide to get out of the group stage, let alone make the penultimate round, having endured a traumatizing incident in their opening game and two crushing early defeats.

However, after making the round of 16 and breezing past Wales and the Czech Republic in the knockout stage, Kasper Hjulmand's side are gearing up to face the 1966 World Cup champions for a spot in the final, where Italy await. Schmeichel, who is familiar with the English game due to his role at Leicester City, fronted the media and when asked about the prospect of denying football from returning home, the 34-year-old was quick to shut down the reporter, albeit with a smile and a playful tone.

"Has it ever been home? I don't know, have you ever won it?" Schmeichel said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

When their 1966 success on the international scene was brought up, Kasper responded with: "Was that not the World Cup?

"To be honest, I haven't given any thought to what it would mean to stop England more than what it would do for Denmark.

"To be honest, I've focused very little on the England national team. It doesn't really mean anything to me.

"It's what it would do for our country back home. The joy it would bring to a country of only five-and-a-half million to be able to do something like that, or compete with the nations we're competing with.

"So, yeah, not really a lot of thought to England's feelings in this."

These comments garnered mixed reactions, with some not taking his comments too well. When asked for his opinion on the Leicester ace's choice of words, England captain Harry Kane opted for a diplomatic response, stating that he is true that the Three Lions have never won the European Championship, but added that it is all the more reason to bring football home.

"He's right in terms that it hasn't come home in this competition for us but we are in a great position where we are two games away. So it's important that our focus is on tomorrow night and us, and what we can do. We know if we can get it right then it should be enough to get us over the line."

While Southgate's side have not been as exciting to watch as Italy or even Spain, the two other semi-finalists, what the English have been is efficient. With eight goals scored and zero goals conceded, it is easy to see why many are betting on the Three Lions making it through to the final at Wembley.