FRANKFURT, Germany
Gareth Southgate acknowledged England must improve if they are to win Euro 2024 after failing to guarantee their place in the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.
A point was the least the
Danes deserved as England again flattered to deceive in Frankfurt after an
underwhelming 1-0 win over Serbia to open their tournament.
Harry Kane had given the Three
Lions an early lead as England pounced on a Danish defensive error at the Deutsche Bank Park stadium.
Morten Hjulmand's rocket from
outside the box levelled before halftime and Denmark were left to rue missing
late chances to secure a famous victory.
"There’s a huge amount of
work to do, that's evident from the two performances we have given - clearly it
was not what we would’ve hoped for," said Southgate.
"We understand people
will be disappointed with the performances and rightly so. We have to make them
a lot better."
England remain on top of Group
C, two points clear of Slovenia, who they face in Cologne on Tuesday, and
Denmark.
Serbia's late equaliser in a
1-1 draw with Slovenia earlier on Thursday also keeps their destiny in their
own hands.
England only need a point to
secure qualification and would win the group with victory in their final game
of the section.
Southgate said on Wednesday
that he avoids media coverage during tournaments to escape negative stories.
But he accepted more criticism
will come after another flat display from one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel claimed on the eve of the game they would not be fuelled by revenge for their Euro 2020 semifinal heartbreak to England three years ago.
However, the Danes were a
different beast from the side that disappointed at the 2022 World Cup and in
drawing against Slovenia to open their tournament in Germany.
Denmark had made the brighter
start as both sides struggled to cope with a bobbly pitch in Frankfurt that cut
up badly in just its second game of five at Euro 2024.
Yet, England capitalised on a
howler from Hjulmand's men to take the lead on 18 minutes.
Victor Kristiansen was caught
unaware of Kyle Walker's run down the right and his deflected low cross fell
perfectly for Kane to roll in his 13th goal at major tournaments.
Failing to build on early 1-0
leads has been a consistent criticism of England under Southgate.
This time Denmark were not
deterred by conceding, although it took a spectacular strike to bring them
level.
Hjulmand was given far too
much room by the England midfield to take aim but he took full advantage form
long range with a blistering shot that clipped the inside of the post on its
way in.
Phil Foden's form for England
had been a source of much debate after he again failed to shine at
international level against Serbia.
The Manchester City playmaker
looked much more like the man that won Premier League player of the year awards
this season and was inches away from restoring England's lead with a low drive
that came crashing back off the post.
Southgate's caution has been
criticised in the past, but he was bold with his changes in the search for a
winner as Kane, Foden and Bukayo Saka were sacrificed for Eberechi Eze, Ollie
Watkins and Jarrod Bowen.
"We thought we needed to
get speed and energy in the front line was important," added Southgate in
explaining his decisions.
Watkins nearly made an
immediate impact as he was denied by Schmeichel after a brilliant through ball
from Jude Bellingham.
Yet, it was Denmark who had
the better chances to take all three points in the closing stages.
Andreas Christensen spooned
over when unmarked from a corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg curled inches
wide.
"I can't say we are
disappointed but it's a shame. There was a result there we could have
gotten," said Danish coach Hjulmand.
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