'Never seen this': Disbelief after bizarre detail in Euro 2020 'robbery'
England may have advanced to the Euro 2020 final, but the lead up to their extra-time goal has sparked uproar within the football community.
Denmark took a shock lead against a rampaging England outfit, before England equalised and, much like the Italy and Spain match a day earlier, the game went into extra-time.
'CAN'T BREATHE': Football world stunned by bizarre Euro 2020 moment
WOW: Confronting scenes at Euro 2020 despite major Covid warnings
The Three Lions were relentless as Denmark looked for brief moments to counter after being pegged back.
Then in the 102 minute, Sterling went for a weaving run in the Danish penalty area.
However, after evading two defenders Sterling went down under what appeared to be minimal contact.
The referee awarded the penalty to a thunderous applause in the stadium.
Replays quickly showed Sterling had gone down under the most minimal contact and also appeared to be on his way down as the challenge was made.
However, VAR didn't deem the referee's decision was wrong or an obvious error so the penalty stood.
Fans notice two balls before Raheem Sterling penalty
While fans were rightfully fuming over the lack of VAR intervention, eagled-eyed supporter also noticed a bizarre detail in the build-up to the penalty.
As England were building up the play on the right-hand side of the field, a ball had rolled onto the pitch.
Sterling received the ball in play and just so happened to make a dazzling run with metres of the extra ball on the field.
Generally during a game, if a second ball is on the field the play is stopped.
But Sterling ran past the ball and the rest is history.
After the furore around the penalty being awarded, a second bizarre detail in the build-up to the goal sent fans into a frenzy.
THERE WERE TWO BALLS ON THE PITCH WHEN PENALTY WAS CALLED?!
(via @PietroMazzara ) pic.twitter.com/uSLwpedtvO— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) July 7, 2021
Regardless of the fact that it wasn't a penalty. Doesn't the whistle always blow when a second ball is on the pitch? pic.twitter.com/xVLcdwVfPE
— Straajo 🇷🇸 (@straajo) July 7, 2021
Two balls on the pitch as well. Absolute robbery. pic.twitter.com/hUvK6Vtp4v
— Jaden UIB (@Ak_Studio4) July 7, 2021
How come nobody mentioned there were two balls on the pitch when Sterling dived for the #England penalty? Game is ALWAYS stopped when there are two balls on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/4SwXfnhXsi
— Chuckles Le Vert (@ChucklesLeVert) July 7, 2021
Two balls on the pitch and a blatant dive. Never seen robbery like this pic.twitter.com/vAgSqFYqDu
— Mahdi. (@PrimeSancho) July 7, 2021
Two balls on the field and the referee doesn't stop the play too. How on earth is this game a fair contest?!!!! Absolute robbery...This Euro2021 shouldn't count in my opinion.#ENGDEN pic.twitter.com/fQthU6SEJk
— َ Red (@7ryst) July 7, 2021
But the drama didn't end there.
England captain stepped up to convert the penalty, which Sterling won, but his initial effort was saved from Kasper Schmeichel.
Kane was alert to the save and subsequently followed it up with a routine finish to put England ahead and ultimately into the Euro 2020 final.
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.