Dietmar Hamann slammed the match officials for missing Raheem Sterling's 'blatant dive' which ultimately led to England's winning goal against Denmark.

The Three Lions reached their first final in 55 years by defeating the Danes 2-1 after extra-time thanks to an own goal from Simon Kjaer and Harry Kane's finish, but there was controversy surrounding the winner.

Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot after Manchester City winger Sterling was brought down in the box in the 102nd minute of the game, but replays showed there was minimal contact made by Joakim Maehle.

The decision stood following a check by the VAR, but Harry Kane's subsequent spot kick was initially saved by Kasper Schmeichel, only for the Tottenham striker to score from the rebound.

Former Liverpool and City midfielder Hamann felt it never should have been a penalty in the first place, however, calling the manner in which England won 'against the spirit of the game'.

"Did they deserve to win? I have to disagree with Liam (Brady)," the former German international said on RTE after the match.

"They won with a penalty which was a blatant dive and this is not in the spirit of the game. England always prides itself on being the home of fair play and no diving.

"We all remember what happened when Jurgen Klinsmann came to England and he dived, then they had the celebration with the diving.

"As I said, we brought VAR in [to correct decisions like these]. Sterling probably thought the challenge is going to come, so I give him the benefit of the doubt.

"But Maehle pulls out of the tackle because he sees that he can't get there. There is no contact whatsoever.

Didi Hamann during his time at City

"VAR was brought in to rectify these decisions and change blatant mistakes by the referee. This is as blatant a mistake as you will see. This is a European Championship semi-final, I feel sorry for the Danes.

"I think there's every chance it would have gone to penalties, and we would have all thought they might have the advantage with [Kasper] Schmeichel in goal.

"Proper congratulations to England, but surely the way they won the game is not in the spirit of the game."

When it was put to Hamann that players should do anything it takes to win a semi-final, the German pushed back, retorting that players should be role models for young viewers.

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He said: "There's a big difference between when someone sticks a leg out and makes contact - if there's contact, no problem - but there's no contact whatsoever.

"Yes, you have to do what it takes to win, but diving is clearly not what is required, because like I said it's not in the spirit of the game.

"We've got to be role models. We talked before the game about role models having a responsibility toward society, because a lot of young kids are watching tonight. We don't want people to (dive).

"How the video assistant doesn't send the referee to the screen and say 'have a look again because I don't think there's contact', is beyond me."

Fellow pundit and Arsenal legend Liam Brady agreed with his colleague, adding: "That replay shows there was no contact with Sterling and I don't know how VAR didn't catch that."

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Hamann also pointed out that the whistle should have been blown by the referee before Sterling was even fouled, as there was a second ball on the pitch in close proximity to the action.

"Regardless of the incident, I think as soon as he sees the second ball he has got to stop the game. He should have stopped the game long before (the penalty was given)."

Do you agree with the German's assessment or is it just sour grapes? Let us know in the comments.