England around Harry Kane could only manage a draw. © APA/afp / ADRIAN DENNIS

Kane scores and misses: England disappointed against Denmark

England has given away the early group victory at the European Football Championship and also left a lot to be desired in the second game.

June 20, 2024

From: dpa

Coach Gareth Southgate's team could only manage a 1:1 (1:1) draw against Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday and must therefore continue to fear a possible round of 18 match against the furious hosts Germany. A goal by Harry Kane (47th minute) was not enough for the uninspired Three Lions in front of 000 spectators. Morten Hjulmand (34th) managed a spectacular equaliser for the Danes following a bad pass from Kane.

While England can at least plan on progressing with four points, everything is at stake for Denmark, Slovenia (two points each) and Serbia (one point) on Tuesday (21.00 p.m.). The second-placed team in the group would face Germany in the round of XNUMX if the DFB team wins the group against Switzerland. The English can win the group on their own if they beat outsiders Slovenia.

Kane scores for the first time in a European Championship preliminary round

Southgate was not particularly impressed by the heated debates about his team's overly defensive approach in his home country. Instead, his team began as cautiously as they had finished the bumpy 1-0 win against Serbia on Sunday. The European Championship co-favorites still took the lead: after Victor Kristiansen was inattentive, Kyle Walker broke through to the byline on the right. His deflected pass landed at Bayern star Kane, who only had to shoot from close range. It was Kane's first preliminary round goal at a European Championship in his eighth appearance.

This is how Harry Kane celebrated his goal. © APA/afp / JAVIER SORIANO

However, England did not gain confidence as a result, but retreated even further. The 2021 European Championship runners-up always tried to position themselves with six players behind the ball and were put under increasing pressure by the Danes. The game seemed static, despondent and not worthy of a European Championship title contender during this phase.

Triple substitution in England’s offensive

A shot by Jonas Wind (32') was deflected by Marc Guehi. But the equalizer came with the next move. After a failed pass from Kane into the middle, Hjulmand plucked up the courage and scored a dream goal from 30 meters. His goal also made King Frederik cheer. England's fans enthusiastically sang "Dancing in the Dark" by Bruce Springsteen, but for the professionals around goal scorer Kane, the half-time whistle seemed like a small relief.

Morten Hjulmand (centre) scored the equalizer. © APA/afp / ANGELOS TZORTZINIS

After that, Southgate's eleven improved. A deflected shot from Declan Rice (51') and a header from Bukayo Saka (53') caused a little danger. But things only got really tricky for the Danes when Phil Foden hit the post with a powerful left-foot shot (56'). Southgate then replaced his key attackers Kane, Saka and Foden all at once - but even with fresh forces it was no longer enough to win. Instead, the Danes pushed for the winning goal and were unlucky with a shot from Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg (85').