Denmark 1-1 England: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Three Lions Put In Another Downbeat Display In Frankfurt?

While England might have extended on their unbeaten start to EURO 24, the Three Lions missed out on the opportunity to officially secure their knockout stage ticket as Group C winners.

Although the Three Lions might have arrived in Frankfurt on Thursday evening looking to make a statement of intent, Gareth Southgate’s side had to settle for a sluggish 1-1 stalemate against Denmark.

While England skipper Harry Kane might have opened the scoring after just 18 minutes as the Bayern Munich record-breaker tapped home, that lead didn’t last long as Morten Hjulmand struck a sublime 25-yard strike in the 34th-minute.

Once again failing to find any kind of fluidity in the final third and often outplayed by a resident Danish squad, some of England’s travelling support would have been thankful to leave Frankfurt with a point in tact.

Although Phil Foden might have struck the woodwork just after the interval, question marks still remain over Southgate’s approach.

On an evening when the Three Lions put in another downbeat performance, we have taken a look at the main talking points.

More questions for Southgate to answer

While England might have opened their EURO 24 adventure with a 1-0 victory against Serbia on Sunday night, it is fair to say that this summer’s title candidates failed to make any real statement as they limped their way over the finishing line.

Although Southgate’s side might be billed as a leading contender to get their hands on a first piece of international silverware since their World Cup success way back in 1966, they have seriously flattered to deceive.

While many might have suggested that the one-time Aston Villa defender has a real golden generation at his disposal this summer, the Three Lions have drastically struggled to find any kind of fluidity.

Signing off their pre-tournament preparations with an infamous 1-0 loss at home against Iceland, England have now collected just a pair of victories from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Desperately seeking some kind of clinical edge in the final third since opening 2024, the pressure on Southgate’s shoulders will soon reach a boiling point if he can not turn England’s fortunes around.

What are England going to do with Kane?

Although Kane might have opened the scoring on Thursday evening at also recorded a maiden strike at this summer’s European Championships, England’s skipper often cut a frustrated figure.

With his first-half effort remarkably the only touch that he had in Denmark’s box, the Bayern Munich ace was substituted after just 70 minutes in what was a real shock move from Southgate.

Cutting a lethargic figure in the final third and often dropping in alongside the duo of Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold, England certainly looked more threatening when Kane was replaced by Aston Villa marksmen Ollie Watkins.

Missing all of Bayern Munich’s final three Bundesliga appearances last seen through a back issue, there has also been plenty of speculation that the ex-Tottenham talisman is not at full fitness.

Although Kane might have opened his account on Thursday evening, Southgate must find a way to get his striking superstar firing on all cylinders if England are going to mount a genuine charge this summer.

Denmark disappointed by just a point

Although Denmark might still be waiting to claim a maiden victory at this summer’s European Championships, Kasper Hjulmand’s men should take plenty of positives away from an impressive performance here.

Causing this summer’s potential title contenders a string of questions on either side of the half-time break, there will be some in Denmark’s squad that will believe that they deserved to leave Frankfurt with more than a point to show for their troubles.

Despite opening their European adventure with what was a downbeat 1-1 draw against Slovenia on June 16th, the former Mainz boss has seen his side suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions.

Currently with their noses ahead of Slovenia in the race to secure a top-two finish in Group C, Denmark face what is a summer-defining showdown next Tuesday when they meet Serbia in Munich.

Match Report

Denmark: Schmeichel, Andersen, Vestergaard, Christensen, Kristiansen, Hojbjerg, Hjulmand, Maehle, Eriksen, Wind, Hojlund

Subs: Damsgaard, Olsen, Norgaard, Poulsen, Bah

England: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Tripper, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Saka, Bellingham, Foden, Kane

Subs: Watkins, Gallagher, Bowen, Eze

Goals: Denmark: Hjulmand (34’) – England: Kane (18’)

Yellow Cards: Denmark: Vestergaard, Maehle, Norgaard – England: Gallagher

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Arthur Soares Dias