England 1-1 Denmark
20th June 2024 – Euro 2024
England Vs Denmark
Key Moments:
- 18′: Harry Kane opens the scoring for England
- 29′: Morten Hjulmand equalizes for Denmark with a long-range strike
- 55′: Phil Foden hits the post for England
- 67′: Harry Kane substituted off after a disappointing performance
Group C Table, After This Game
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Denmark | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Serbia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Slovenia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Match Review:
The highly anticipated Euro 2024 Group C clash between England and Denmark at Frankfurt Arena ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving both teams with mixed emotions and plenty to ponder. England, touted as one of the pre-tournament favorites, failed to live up to expectations, while Denmark showed resilience and tactical acumen to secure a valuable point.
The match began with England adopting a cautious approach, seemingly content to control possession without taking too many risks. This strategy backfired as it allowed Denmark to grow into the game and gain confidence. The Three Lions did manage to break the deadlock in the 18th minute when Harry Kane capitalized on a defensive lapse, but their joy was short-lived.
Denmark’s equalizer, courtesy of Morten Hjulmand’s spectacular long-range effort, exposed England’s vulnerabilities and set the tone for the rest of the match. The goal seemed to galvanize the Danish side, who began to dominate proceedings, particularly in midfield.
England’s performance was characterized by a lack of cohesion and creativity. The midfield trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham struggled to assert themselves, often losing possession and failing to provide adequate support to the forward line. This disconnect between midfield and attack was a recurring theme throughout the match, limiting England’s offensive threat.
Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions also came under scrutiny. The decision to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, while bold, did not yield the desired results. The Liverpool star looked uncomfortable and out of his depth, raising questions about his suitability for the role at the international level.
Denmark, on the other hand, grew in stature as the match progressed. Their compact defensive shape frustrated England’s attackers, while their quick transitions and intelligent movement caused problems for the English backline. The Danish midfield, led by the impressive Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, controlled the tempo of the game for long periods.
The second half saw England make several substitutions in an attempt to change the course of the match. However, these changes failed to provide the spark needed to break down a resolute Danish defense. Phil Foden’s shot that struck the post in the 55th minute was as close as England came to regaining the lead.
For Denmark, this result will be seen as a positive step forward. They demonstrated their ability to compete with one of the tournament favorites and showed tactical flexibility throughout the match. Their organized defensive structure and ability to threaten on the counter-attack will give them confidence going into their final group game.
England, meanwhile, will need to address several issues if they hope to progress deep into the tournament. The lack of creativity in midfield, the ineffectiveness of their attacking play, and defensive vulnerabilities are all areas that require immediate attention. Southgate faces some tough decisions regarding team selection and tactical approach for the crucial final group match.
In conclusion, this match served as a wake-up call for England and a statement of intent from Denmark. The draw leaves both teams with work to do in their final group games, but it’s Denmark who will likely feel more satisfied with their performance and the result.
Player Ratings:
England:
Jordan Pickford (GK) – 6/10: Made some crucial saves but looked shaky at times, particularly with his distribution.
Kyle Walker (RB) – 6/10: Provided the assist for Kane’s goal but was caught out of position on several occasions.
John Stones (CB) – 7/10: Solid defensive performance, but his passing was not up to his usual standards.
Marc Guéhi (CB) – 6/10: Had some good moments but also made a few errors that could have been costly.
Kieran Trippier (LB) – 5/10: Struggled to provide width and was often caught out defensively.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (CM) – 4/10: Looked out of his depth in midfield, losing possession frequently and failing to influence the game.
Declan Rice (CM) – 4/10: Overwhelmed in midfield, leaving too many gaps and struggling in possession.
Jude Bellingham (CM) – 4/10: Uncharacteristically sloppy, losing the ball often and failing to drive the team forward.
Bukayo Saka (RW) – 6/10: Showed flashes of his quality but struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Harry Kane (CF) – 5/10: Scored the opener but faded as the game progressed, giving away possession for Denmark’s equalizer.
Phil Foden (LW) – 6/10: Had one brilliant run and hit the post, but overall impact was limited.
Substitutes:
Conor Gallagher – 6/10: Added energy to the midfield but couldn’t change the game’s direction.
Jarrod Bowen – 5/10: Failed to make a significant impact after coming on.
Ollie Watkins – 6/10: Showed some promise with his movement but lacked service.
Eberechi Eze – 5/10: Limited time to influence the game.
Denmark:
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – 6/10: Conceded early but made a fine save from Watkins later in the game.
Joachim Andersen (RCB) – 7/10: Composed performance, dealt well with England’s limited threats.
Jannik Vestergaard (CB) – 7/10: Strong in the air and distributed well despite an early yellow card.
Andreas Christensen (LCB) – 7/10: Assured presence at the back, good distribution under pressure.
Joakim Mæhle (RWB) – 7/10: Solid defensively and provided an outlet on the right.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (CM) – 7/10: Controlled the midfield and drove his team forward.
Morten Hjulmand (CM) – 8/10: Scored a brilliant equalizer and dictated play in midfield.
Victor Kristiansen (CM) – 5/10: Struggled early on but improved as the game progressed.
Christian Eriksen (AM) – 6/10: Showed flashes of his class but couldn’t dominate as he would have liked.
Jonas Wind (CF) – 6/10: Worked hard but lacked clear-cut chances.
Rasmus Højlund (CF) – 6/10: Caused problems with his movement but lacked end product.
Substitutes:
Yussuf Poulsen – 6/10: Added physicality to the attack.
Alexander Bah – 6/10: Solid defensive contribution after coming on.
Mikel Damsgaard – 6/10: Brought energy to the midfield.
Andreas Skov Olsen – 6/10: Limited time to make an impact.
Christian Nørgaard – 6/10: Helped see out the game in midfield.
FAQs:
Q: What does this result mean for England’s qualification chances?
A: England still leads Group C with 4 points and remains in a strong position to qualify. However, they will need to improve their performance in the final group game to secure top spot.
Q: How did Denmark’s tactical approach differ from England’s?
A: Denmark adopted a more compact and counter-attacking style, focusing on frustrating England and exploiting spaces when they won possession. England, in contrast, seemed caught between a possession-based approach and a more direct style, resulting in a disjointed performance.
Q: What are the main areas of concern for England following this match?
A: The lack of creativity in midfield, defensive vulnerabilities, and the ineffectiveness of their attacking play are the primary concerns. Gareth Southgate will need to address these issues before the final group game.
Q: How significant was Morten Hjulmand’s performance for Denmark?
A: Hjulmand’s performance was crucial for Denmark. His goal changed the complexion of the match, and his control in midfield helped Denmark dominate for long periods.
Q: What impact did the substitutions have on the game?
A: Neither team’s substitutions had a significant impact on the match outcome. England’s changes failed to provide the spark needed to break down Denmark’s defense, while Denmark’s substitutions helped them maintain their defensive solidity.
Next Fixtures:
England: vs Slovenia (June 25, 2024)
Denmark: vs Serbia (June 25, 2024)
