England took the lead early on but were sluggish throughout as they drew 1-1 against Denmark in Group C.
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Harry Kane’s early goal looked to have England on their way to cruising to the last 16 of EURO 2024 but Denmark’s Morten Hjumland smashed home a stunner to make it 1-1 and the Danes had plenty of chances to win it.
England huffed and puffed but Gareth Southgate’s stars never looked like grabbing the win as he subbed off Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden in the second half. The Three Lions are on four points, while Denmark are on two.
If England beat Slovenia on Tuesday they are guaranteed to win Group C but even if that happens, there are still plenty of questions about Southgate’s side who were the favorites to win it all before the tournament began.
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Sluggish England a cause for concern
Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and John Stones all looked off the boil in this game and England were totally devoid of energy. This was a very concerning performance from Gareth Southgate’s side. But it was expected. Southgate said it himself after the win against Serbia that he knew England would lack energy and yet the England boss has persisted with some of the stars who have been struggling for fitness and freshness. England were overwhelmed in midfield and couldn’t get any rhythm or flow going. Bellingham and Rice in particular wanted too long on the ball and kept giving it away, Saka lacked spark and Kane looked like he couldn’t run in-behind as there was no focal point to England’s attack. It seemed like England’s players were just waiting for something to happen rather than making it happen and that is the main issue from most Three Lions supporters with Southgate’s time in charge so far. But England weren’t even too defensive in this game. They were just nothing. There was no energy, no creativity and no pace to their play. They have to improve against Slovenia in their Group C finale and Southgate should definitely inject more energy into this side by making some tough decisions in midfield and attack. Alexander-Arnold did okay but it seems like that experiment in midfield may be over so why not give Mainoo or Gallagher a chance to start? Why not start Palmer to give Saka or Foden a rest? England need to find a spark form somewhere because their first two performances have been well below par.
Denmark vs England player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Hojbjerg had a fine game in midfield for Denmark and their entire defensive unit did a fine job to stop England creating any space.
What’s next?
England play against Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday, June 25 in their Group C finale. Denmark face Serbia in Munich at the same time.
How to watch Denmark vs England, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12pm ET, Thursday (June 20)
Stadium: Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt
How to watch on TV in USA: Fox Sports
Denmark vs England final score: 1-1
Hjumland 34'; Kane 18'
Denmark vs England live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Denmark 1-1 England
Very frustrating from England as they never got going in this game. Denmark were stodgy and full of energy in midfield and will be delighted with that point.
Bellingham caught in possession and Hojbjerg drills wide
So sloppy from England again as Bellingham is caught in possession and Hojbjerg drills a shot inches wide.
Guehi loses the ball but makes up for it with a fine last-ditch tackle
Denmark almost get in late on as Guehi is caught in possession by Bah. But the Crystal Palace center back gets back in to block Bah’s shot.
Watkins denied by Schmeichel!
Bellingham with a brilliant ball in-behind and Watkins is denied by Kasper Schmeichel.
England make a triple sub
Eze, Watkins and Bowen all come on as the Three Lions try to push for a winner with 20 minutes to go. Foden, Kane and Saka all come off.
Foden hits the post!
Foden cuts inside and his low shot hits the post and comes back out to Saka who hits it way over under pressure. Much better from England, who have just bought on Gallagher for Alexander-Arnold in central midfield.
England taking more risks early in the second half
A driving run from Alexander-Arnold, a deep cross from Saka and a deflected shot on goal from Rice has happened early in the second half. England trying to force the issue and get back on top.
Half time: Denmark 1-1 England
A really decent first half in Frankfurt. Kane put England ahead but Denmark surged back and Hjumland’s fine strike has the scores level. Denmark are swarming all over England in midfield and Gareth Southgate may have to make a few changes soon.
Hjumland drills home from over 30 yards out! - Denmark 1-1 England (34th minute)
That has been coming. Denmark midfielder Morten Hjumland smashes a low shot from distance which hits the post and goes in. The Danish fans goes wild and Hjumland’s first international goal is a beauty.
What a strike from Morten Hjulmand! Denmark level against England and that had been coming. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/I9qzCxNhEI
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 20, 2024
A few half chances for the Danes
Denmark have had a few forrays into the England box and the ball pinballs around before Pickford claims it. Just a gentle reminder to England that this won’t be easy.
Harry Kane is off the mark with a calm finish! - Denmark 0-1 England (18th minute)
Kyle Walker does superbly to get on the ball on the right as he then cuts the ball back and it takes a few deflections before reaching Harry Kane eight yards out. You know what happens next. Kane slots home his first of the tournament and England’s fans go wild.
Good switch from England and great play from Kyle Walker. Bit of fortune with the way the ball found Harry Kane, but he's always lurking in the right spot. #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/p8ZP48Lk21
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) June 20, 2024
Foden wriggles free but curls over
Lovely move from England and Foden is found on the edge of the box and he wriggles free. His curling shot is way over but that is much better from England.
Pitch is cutting up badly
The pitch is cutting up badly in Frankfurt. Lots of players are slipping and Kyle Walker needed to change his boots after a huge chunk came up after he slipped. This caused cause lots of problems during the game. Beware of nasty bobbles.
Early chance for Denmark
No messing around from Denmark who get the ball forward early and it drops to Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. His shot is on target but straight at Jordan Pickford who saves. Bright start from the Danes.
Denmark lineup
Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Maehle, Hojbjerg, Hjumland, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Hojlund, Wind
England lineup
Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Denmark team news, focus
Christian Eriksen provided the moment of the tournament just 17 minutes into Denmark’s 1-1 draw with Slovenia, scoring the opening goal three years and four days after he collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest during the Danes’ opening game of EURO 2020. Much like England’s opener, it was a tale of two halves with Denmark dominating the opening 45 minutes before struggling (and ultimately failing) to hold on to a narrow lead late. Slovenia racked up all of 0.06 xG on three shots (all from 25 yards or more) in the first half and followed it up with 1.04 xG on eight shots (six from inside 10 yards) after the restart. It tracks with the early trend of teams being rewarded for being aggressive and taking risks, and the opposite has certainly proven true as well.
England team news, focus
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s run in midfield could to come to an end after just one game, as he struggled both in possession and defensively, and the side was instantly improved when Conor Gallagher came on to replace him after 70 minutes. Whether or not Alexander-Arnold falls back into contention at right back, where Kyle Walker started the opener and did yeoman’s work from end line to end line. The other spot where a change could be made, pending fitness, is left back. Kieran Trippier played there against Serbia as Luke Shaw makes his way back from the calf injury that ended his season for Manchester United back in February. Southgate has said that Shaw could be available during the group stage, but Man United boss Erik ten Hag believes the round of 16 is a more realistic target.
Denmark vs England prediction
Denmark can defend and they’re able to hold possession better than Serbia, but they will also find it difficult to create chances and England will come out with an intensity that was missing in the opener. Denmark 0-2 England.