FRANKFURT: England failed to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024 after Morten Hjulmand’s spectacular strike earned Denmark a 1-1 draw 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.
Hjulmand’s rocket from outside the box levelled before half-time and Denmark were left to rue missing late chances to secure a famous victory.
England remain on top of Group C, two points clear of Slovenia, who they face in Cologne on Tuesday, and Denmark.
Serbia’s late equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia earlier on Thursday also keeps their destiny in their own hands.
England boss Gareth Southgate said on Wednesday that he avoids media coverage during tournaments to escape negative stories.
But will be braced for more criticism after another flat display from one of the pre-tournament favorites.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel claimed on the eve of the game they would not be fueled 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 capitalized 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.
In the 2018 World Cup semifinal and final of Euro 2020, Croatia and Italy were able to wrestle away momentum from the Three Lions.
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.
Southgate made no changes at the break, but the future of his experiment of playing Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in a midfield role is in doubt after he was hooked for Conor Gallagher on 55 minutes.
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 criticized 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.
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.
Lacklustre England held by Denmark at Euro 2024
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Lacklustre England held by Denmark at Euro 2024
- Harry Kane had given the Three Lions an early lead as England pounced on a Danish defensive error
- Hjulmand’s rocket from outside the box levelled before half-time and Denmark were left to rue missing late chances to secure a famous victory
Manchester United back on track after Fernandes inspires Wolves rout
- With Amorim growing increasingly tetchy in recent weeks, it was essential that sixth-placed United avoided an embarrassing result against bottom of the table Wolves as they moved within one point of the top four
- Wolves have just two points after 15 games and if they fail to win either of their next two against Arsenal and Brentford they will equal Sheffield United’s longest winless start in the Premier League of 17 matches
WOLVERHAMPTON: Ruben Amorim said Manchester United had “improved a lot” after they climbed back into the race to qualify for the Champions League as Bruno Fernandes inspired a 4-1 rout of woeful Wolves on Monday.
Amorim’s side recovered from their disappointing draw with lowly West Ham last week thanks to Fernandes’ double and goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount at Molineux.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde had canceled out Fernandes’ opener with Wolves’ first goal in six games in all competitions and their first in the top-flight since October 26.
But Mbeumo, Mount and Fernandes netted after the interval to clinch only United’s second win in their last six matches.
United suffered an embarrassing 1-0 home loss to 10-man Everton on Nov. 24 and 10 days later boos greeted the final whistle following a 1-1 draw with West Ham at Old Trafford.
With Amorim growing increasingly tetchy in recent weeks, it was essential that sixth-placed United avoided an embarrassing result against bottom of the table Wolves as they moved within one point of the top four.
“I really enjoyed how we played the second half. We had good pace, good quality in the decisions. We finished the game and Wolves is in a difficult moment. It was a good evening,” Amorim said.
“We had some games against teams in better moments and had many shots. We need to improve the quality of the shots. We need to focus not just on scoring but protecting our goal.
“I think we improved a lot. If you compare last season and this season we are creating so much more chances and scoring more goals and having more real situations of danger, so I’m really pleased with that.”
Wolves’ eighth successive league defeat equalled their worst top-flight run since 1981-82 and left boss Rob Edwards still waiting for his first victory since arriving from Middlesbrough to replace the sacked Vitor Pereira in November.
Wolves have just two points after 15 games and if they fail to win either of their next two against Arsenal and Brentford they will equal Sheffield United’s longest winless start in the Premier League of 17 matches.
Derby’s Premier League record low of just 11 points in a single season is also under threat from dismal Wolves.
Perfect response
Diogo Dalot should have put United ahead in the opening moments when he raced clean through on goal, but the defender’s tame shot was palmed away by Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone.
Hundreds of angry Wolves fans boycotted the opening 15 minutes to protest against owners Fosun and executive chairman Jeff Shi.
When they returned to their seats, the Wolves supporters saw their former forward Matheus Cunha have a shot blocked before United took the lead in the 25th minute.
It was a shambolic goal in keeping with Wolves’ wretched campaign.
Andre’s wayward back-pass was intercepted by Cunha and when he flicked the ball to Fernandes, the Portugal midfielder initially slipped over before recovering to poke a weak shot that somehow evaded Johnstone as it crept over the line.
As boos rained down from furious Wolves supporters, United went for the kill and Cunha’s strike was cleared off the line by Toti.
United’s focus briefly wavered and Wolves snatched their long-awaited goal in first half stoppage-time.
Amorim’s men couldn’t clear a succession of crosses and David Moller Wolfe’s pass was turned in at full-stretch by Bellegarde from 12 yards.
But United provided the perfect response in the 51st minute.
A flowing move cut through the Wolves defense as Mount’s pass found Dalot and his unselfish cutback allowed Mbeumo to slot into the empty net.
In the 62nd minute, Mount timed his run perfectly to meet Fernandes’ cross with an emphatic volley from six yards.
Fernandes’ fourth goal this season put the seal on a one-sided contest as he stroked home an 82nd minute penalty after Yerson Mosquera handled.
