Harry Kane‘s first-half purpose was not sufficient to forestall England from one other disjointed efficiency and a irritating 1-1 draw towards Denmark at Euro 2024 on Thursday.
Kane, the England captain, scored his first of the event after 18 minutes, offering a left-foot end following a second of brilliance from Kyle Walker, who stole the ball from Andreas Christensen and crossed into the center.
Denmark responded shortly and successfully, as Gareth Southgate’s aspect went into its shell within the minutes that adopted Kane’s opener. Morten Hjulmand pulled his group stage, unleashing an excellent shot from exterior the realm within the thirty fourth minute, rattling it previous goalkeeper Jordan Pickford off the within of the publish.
The result will solely increase additional questions on Southgate’s strategy, because the artistic duo of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham once more failed to attach with any type of fluidity.
The experiment of enjoying Trent Alexander-Arnold out of place in a central midfield position might have been deserted. Alexander-Arnold was eliminated early within the second half, with Conor Gallagher, a radiantly middle midfielder, introduced on to exchange him.
Quickly after, Foden hit the publish with a left-foot effort from the sting of the realm, harking back to his strikes for Manchester Metropolis previously season. This time, nevertheless, regardless of beating Kasper Schmeichel, he was inches away from the specified consequence.
In broad phrases, England’s place is much from a catastrophe. There are some similarities to its World Cup group in 2022, the place a gap victory was adopted by a draw — towards the US — and stored its destiny in its personal fingers.
But extra was anticipated from one of many most-fancied groups pre-tournament, particularly the mixture of Bellingham and Foden, the respective La Liga and English Premier League gamers of the season.
Southgate had named an unchanged group from the shaky victory over Serbia, however made a flurry of substitutions halfway by way of the second interval, primarily changing his whole frontline. Foden made method for Jarrod Bowen, Bukayo Saka was switched out for Eberechi Eze and, in essentially the most stunning transfer of all, captain Kane was taken off for the incoming Ollie Watkins.
England was tied with France at +400 to win the Euros, reflecting the excessive expectations positioned upon Southgate’s squad. The draw towards Denmark not solely squandered an opportunity to safe early qualification but additionally highlighted the delicate nature of the present squad. Southgate and his group have work to do.
The upcoming match towards Slovenia will likely be essential as England goals to safe its place within the subsequent spherical and restore confidence amongst supporters. Southgate should urgently deal with these shortcomings to reignite England’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign and meet the excessive expectations positioned upon this gifted group.
