Gareth Southgate and his England team were once again unimpressive as they were held in a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Three Lions watched both their fellow group rivals Slovenia and Serbia played out a draw earlier in the day and headed into their match knowing a win will see them secure round of 16 ticket.
The team also had much to make up for as their last performance in their opening game was nothing to write home about, albeit they managed to secure a 1-0 win to move up the group.
Denmark also had a point to prove following their disappointing draw with Slovenia in their opening game. Though they could have run away with it, it was not meant to be as Erik Janza scored later in the second half to cancel out Christian Eriksen‘s 17th-minute opener.
On form, they were on w run of five unbeaten and have not lost a game ending in 90 minutes to England since a Daniel Sturridge’s late goal secured a 1-0 win for the Three Lions in an international friendly back in March 2014.
They have won one and drawn two in their three most recent meetings with England before Thursday, although England won their most recent meeting in extra time thanks to a Harry Kane goal to seal a 2-1 win in the semi-final of the last Euro in 2021.
On the day, it was England who drew the first blood through their captain Harry Kane, who slotted home a fine finish from close range following a Kyle Walker cross, which took a couple of touches off Denmark players.
England’s goal came in the 18th-minute and they appeared to take their foot off the gas. Denmark earned the reward of their dominance four minutes after the half-hour mark, as Morten Hjulmand unleashed an ambitious strike that traveled some distance before coming off the woodwork and into the back of the net.
It was the first goal conceded by England in a UEFA European Championship group game since Gareth Bale’s goal in a 2-1 win over Wales in the second group game at Euro 2016.
England could find no response and it finished all square in Frankfurt, a result that left England at the top of the group C table with four points, two ahead of both Denmark and Slovenia.
England takes on Slovenia in their final group game on Tuesday while Denmark, still looking for their first win, will lock horns with Slovenia in the final kickoff on the same day.
What Gareth Southgate said
In the wake of another disappointing result, Gareth Southgate knew he had to provide answers to a lot of questions in his presser. The England manager explained that England has a missing profile in their midfield.
“It’s an experiment. We don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips but we’re trying different things.” said the 53-year-old.
England fans are not pleased with Southgate
While Southgate complains about having to replacement for Kalvin Phillips, he has resolved to playing Trent Alexander-Arnold, a right-back, in midfield while left players such as Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton, who are natural midfielders on the bench.
Premier League young player of the year Cole Palmer has also not get any minute so far in Euro 2024. While there are also complains of Phil Foden being played out of position.
So many loopholes to fix in short period for the manager as the competition will only get tougher as the games keep coming. His experiment of Alexander-Arnold in midfield has obviously not done the overall balance any good and Gareth Southgate should consider a change ahead of their final group game.
Do you share Gareth Southgate’s opinion that England has no replacement for Kalvin Phillips ? Drop your response below in the comment section.
