When England met Denmark in their second Group C fixture at Euro 2024, expectations were sky-high. England, buoyed by their opening win over Serbia, were looking to secure early qualification for the knockout rounds. Denmark, meanwhile, needed a result to keep their campaign alive. What followed was an evenly matched contest that ended 1-1, a game that revealed as many questions as answers for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Match Recap

First Half
England began brightly and took an early lead in the 18th minute. Kyle Walker pounced on a loose pass from Victor Kristiansen and surged forward before cutting the ball across goal. After a couple of deflections, the ball fell kindly for Harry Kane, who calmly slotted home from close range.

But despite the advantage, England never really took control. Their passing grew sloppy, and Denmark started to dictate play. The Danes’ persistence paid off in the 34th minute when Morten Hjulmand unleashed a thunderous strike from around 30 yards that crashed in off the post, a stunning equaliser that left Jordan Pickford rooted to the spot.

The goal lifted Denmark, and they looked the better side for the remainder of the half, pressing with purpose and exploiting England’s lack of rhythm in midfield.

Second Half
Gareth Southgate made changes to regain some control, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold with Conor Gallagher around the hour mark. Later, he went even further, withdrawing the entire front three of Kane, Saka and Foden for Bowen, Watkins and Eze.

The substitutes injected a bit more energy, and Phil Foden, before being subbed, came closest to restoring England’s lead with a curling effort that struck the post. Denmark, however, remained dangerous on the counter. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg went close late on, his shot skimming just wide, while a couple of Danish corners caused panic in the England box.

Neither side could find a winner, and the match ended all square, a fair reflection of an evenly fought contest.

Key Talking Points

1. England’s Creativity Problem
England’s biggest issue was their inability to control the tempo or create chances after taking the lead. The midfield pairing of Declan Rice and Alexander-Arnold struggled to find balance, too open defensively and lacking link-up play going forward. The experiment of using Alexander-Arnold in midfield once again looked uncertain, and Southgate’s early substitution underlined that.

2. Hjulmand’s Thunderbolt
Denmark’s equaliser was one for the highlight reels. Morten Hjulmand’s long-range drive was as pure as they come, hit with power, precision, and confidence. It was the kind of moment that changes a game’s momentum and symbolised Denmark’s fightback.

3. Southgate’s Bold Substitutions
Replacing the entire front line was a clear signal from Southgate that he wasn’t happy with the team’s energy. While the changes added spark, they didn’t yield a goal. Still, it showed England’s depth in attacking options, something that could prove crucial later in the tournament.

4. The Pitch and Conditions
The Frankfurt pitch came under fire once again, cutting up badly throughout the match. Players from both sides appeared to struggle with their footing, and Jarrod Bowen later admitted he feared he had injured himself after slipping soon after coming on.

5. Lack of Control and Composure
England looked uncomfortable when Denmark pressed high. They lacked calmness in possession and often resorted to hopeful long balls. It’s a concern that will need addressing before facing stronger opposition in the knockout rounds.

What It Means for Group C

The draw leaves England top of Group C on four points, with Denmark on two. It’s not the smooth qualification many expected, but England remain well-placed to advance. A draw in their final match would be enough to secure a spot in the round of 16.

For Denmark, the result keeps their hopes alive. A win in their final group game could see them through, but their fate is still in the balance. Group C remains tight, and every goal could yet matter.

Final Verdict

This was far from England’s best performance, but it wasn’t a disaster either. Kane’s early strike and Foden’s flashes of quality were positives, yet the overall display felt disjointed. Denmark, on the other hand, can take real confidence from their resilience and team structure, they deserved their point and might even feel they could have taken all three.

For England, the result is a reminder that tournament football demands control as much as flair. They remain unbeaten and in charge of their destiny, but questions about balance, creativity, and midfield cohesion persist.

A draw that keeps England in a good position, but one that will spark debate about how far this team can truly go.