England failed to confirm top spot in Group C on Thursday after Gareth Southgate’s side succumbed to a disappointing 1-1 draw against Denmark in Frankfurt.
Though the Three Lions stay top of the standings, a victory would have seen them seize a berth in the knockout stages of the tournament. It seems Southgate’s side still have a lot of work to do.
Harry Kane gave England the lead in the opening 20 minutes of the match, in what was a dream start for the Three Lions. Kyle Walker’s deflected cross ricocheted off two Danish defenders before it fell to the England captain, who took great delight in tapping in his first goal at Euro 2024.
A lapse in concentration in defence would see England fail to shut down Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who fired a long-range effort past Jordan Pickford to pull a goal back for Kasper Hjulmand’s side before half-time.
In the second half, England struggled for creativity and were unable to find a winner, with Denmark, eager to press, giving Southgate’s side a few late scares. Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE delivers his player ratings from Deutsche Bank Park.
Had to make lots of saves given how often Denmark were afforded the ball, but most of them were routine. Will maybe wonder if he could have got down to keep out Denmark’s goal from 25 yards, although it was a tremendous hit. He’s not to blame for this dismal showing.
Kyle Walker 6.5
Credit for his awareness in making the steal from a sleeping opponent before creating Kane’s goal with a deflected cross, but he did not get forward nowhere near as much as he should and can. He had a shaky start and needed a change of boots but, after that, he was decent defensively.
John Stones 6
We did not see any of the ball-playing ability he showcases for Manchester City, but that was because if he had stepped into midfield he would have been met with Rice and Alexander-Arnold on his toes! He was pinned in by own team and had to worry more about what was coming at him from those in red.
Marc Guehi 6.5
He had done very well for 83 minutes but then almost ruined a steady display with a slip to allow Bah to run clear. He recovered to make the tackle, but as much because the Denmark forward was too slow. That moment apart, he can be satisfied. His best yet for England.
Kieran Trippier 7
England needed him with a couple of big interventions in the moments after Kane’s goal. He played most of the game without anyone in front of him either, given how much Foden vacated his position on the left. A solid showing on and off the ball and just about England’s best – even if that was the best of a bad bunch!
Declan Rice 4.5
He will not be happy by the manner in which he repeatedly lost the ball. At one point he blamed Bellingham for not offering an option, but Rice needs to look closer to home. By his standards, this was a very poor performance, and it looked like he knew it. Far too ponderous in possession and, unlike him, weak in the tackle at times.
