FRANKFURT.- England was far from convincing in the 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday, even as it all but confirmed its place in the last 16 of the European Championship.
Harry Kane He gave the English a quick lead in Euro 2024 by scoring in the 18th minute, but the captain came out for the complement and the team faded. Coach Gareth Southgate brought out his three forwards in a triple substitution with 25 minutes remaining.
Denmark tied the score at 1-1 in the 34th when Morten Hjulmand fired a powerful low shot from long range after Kane had gifted them the ball.
The Danes made England look ragged in the second half and attacked them relentlessly to the point where some anxious English fans began booing near the end.
England has four points in two games after beating Serbia 1-0 in the first match. This score has always been enough for a team to advance in the 24-team tournament.
But England can finish anywhere between first and third in Group C after facing Slovenia, who are unbeaten in this tournament, next Tuesday.
Southgate defended his players for what appeared to be unfair criticism after the victory against Serbia when they gave up control after Jude Bellingham’s goal.
Bellingham was subdued on Thursday and Southgate decided to remove his star forward trio of Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in one fell swoop. Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins came on and in less than two minutes Watkins came close to scoring.
Annoyance on the bench:
But Southgate looked obviously upset in the 85th minute after England gave the ball away and gave up several chances to the Danes.
The coach began yelling at his players and pointed two fingers at his temple, as if telling them to think.
Slovenia drew 1-1 with Serbia hours earlier, four days after they obtained the same result against Denmark. The Serbs and Danes face each other on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by members of royalty from both countries. The king of Denmark, Frederik X, and Prince William, future king of England, were present.
Source: AP
