Denmark 1, England 1 (European Championships)
England will consider themselves lucky to scrape a draw against Denmark in their second group game of Euro 2024.
Embed from Getty ImagesHarry Kane’s 18th minute opening goal was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand’s 25-yard screamer in the 34th minute as Gareth Southgate’s team once again failed to build on a promising start under the closed roof of the futuristic Frankfurt Arena.
A draw is hardly the end of the world for England as it still leaves them on top of their group on 4 points, ahead of Denmark and Slovenia who have 2 points each while Serbia have just 1 point.
The unchanged England side missed out on early qualification for the knockout phase of the tournament with another laboured and sluggish display against the Danes and, although Phil Foden hit the post with a long range curling effort of his own, they can count themselves lucky to have earned a point after a strong finish by their opponents.
Southgate admitted after the game that finding a replacement for Kalvin Phillips – who has hardly played in an injury hit spell at Manchester City – has been difficult with Trent Alexander-Arnold once again failing to consistently shine in a midfield with Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham that was overshadowed by veteran Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen was joined in the Danish side by fellow Reds team mate Rasmus Hojlund but England surprisingly lined up without a United player for the first time at a major tournament since 1996.
Alexander-Arnold might find his place taken by Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, who has replaced him in both of England’s matches so far in these Euros, by the time England face Slovenia in their final group game next Tuesday.
And the sight of goalscorer and captain Harry Kane being taken off after 69 minutes – one of a trio of changes as Foden (who was one of England’s better players on the day) and Bukayo Saka were also withdrawn – meaning England lost a lot of their creativity and incisiveness just as Ollie Watkins and his pace to run behind were brought on.
Despite his goal – a poacher’s finish after Kyle Walker robbed Victor Kristiansen and his cross was deflected twice before Kane pounced from close range – the England captain looked off the pace.
While the poor quality of the pitch, which cut up horribly for several players including Walker early on, it doesn’t excuse a performance once again lacking in cohesion as England once again retreated after going ahead in the game but this time could not hold on to their lead against the Danish onslaught.
England may well beat Slovenia in their final group game but they will have to improve greatly if they have any ambitions to progress further than the quarter finals.