Harry Kane scored but his overall performance was very poor (Picture: Shutterstock)
England and Denmark drew 1-1 at Euro 2024 on Thursday as the Three Lions missed the chance to win Group C.
After Serbia drew 1-1 against Slovenia earlier in the day, England went into their second match knowing a win would clinch them top spot with a game to spare.
It would have also sealed England’s spot in the last 16 but the Three Lions must now avoid defeat to Slovenia on Tuesday to be sure of progression.
After what could end up being a costly result, Metro.co.uk takes a look at which players shined and failed to impress…
Jordan Pickford – 6
Jordan Pickford had a very easy save to make early-on from Tottenham star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Almost dropped a clanger after 29 minutes. Somewhat unlucky for Denmark’s first goal due to a superb strike from Morten Hjulmand. Smart save at the near post in the second half denied Hojbjerg again.
Kyle Walker – 6
Kyle Walker once again started at right-back in a 4-2-3-1 (Picture: Shutterstock)
Really active in getting forward down the right. Worrying scenes early-on when he appeared to hurt his ankle but he was able to continue and he set up a glorious chance for Phil Foden in the first half, before conjuring up the assist for Harry Kane’s opening goal.
Struggled a bit more in the second half, though, and gave the ball away cheaply in the 85th minute.
John Stones – 5
Showed good strength early-on to hold off Jonas Wind, who was attempting to get on the end of a deep Denmark cross, but looked shaky later-on as he gave the ball away cheaply just outside the box on the verge of half-time.
Big header early-on after the break to get England out of trouble but then some questionable passing out from the back.
Marc Guehi – 7
Marc Guehi kept his spot in the England XI against Denmark (Picture: Getty)
Decent block in the first-half to stop Morten Hjulmand from threading it to Denmark and Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.
Looked even more assured as the first-half went on, with one smart reverse pass through the lines to find Jude Bellingham in midfield.
Was one of England’s better players in the second half despite the team’s messy performance with one particular excellent tackle to win the ball back and another superb slide tackle a little later.
Kieran Trippier – 6
Started pretty well and relieved pressure on the England defence in the first half by sticking out a foot in the nick of time to stop Joakim Maehle just outside the Three Lions’ box.
Some other smart defending in the first-half with one particularly important block to deny Denmark and Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen. Also some neat link-up play with Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham down the left.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 4
The Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment continued vs Denmark (Picture: Shutterstock)
Dear oh dear, that was a performance to forget for the Liverpool man, who was hooked off in the 54th minute.
Sat too deep in the first-half when Denmark had the ball. Too much distance between him and his fellow midfielders for large periods in the opening 45 minutes which saw Gareth Southgate’s side struggle to get anything going.
Declan Rice – 4
Great work early-on, winning the ball high up the pitch on one occasion to set up a chance for Harry Kane. Sat too deep and lost his man – Morten Hjulmand – for Denmark’s first goal, though.
Like Trent Alexander-Arnold, too much distance between him and his fellow midfielders for large periods in the first-half which saw the Three Lions struggle. One poor touch around the hour mark gifted a chance for Christian Eriksen.
On 67 minutes, his horrible pass under no pressure to Marc Guehi nearly caught England out. Another performance to forget.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Bukayo Saka started on the right wing for England against Denmark (Picture: Getty)
His pace and trickery caused Denmark’s Jannik Vestergaard some problems in the first half but he didn’t make the impact he would have been hoping for.
In the period after Denmark’s equaliser and in the early stages of the second half, he was perhaps the only England player to give Denmark’s defenders some trouble. Some good second-half combinations with fellow attacker Phil Foden. Came off in the 69th minute, though.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Largely ineffective in the first-half – and very quiet for his usual high standards – but involved in the first England goal as he played a lovely ball down the right side for Kyle Walker, who grabbed the assist for Harry Kane.
Also some neat link-up play with Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden down the left. Overall it was a lethargic performance for the Real Madrid superstar, but there was one particular sumptuous ball for substitute Ollie Watkins around the 70th minute.
Phil Foden – 6
Phil Foden failed to impress against Serbia but kept his spot in the XI (Picture: Getty)
Phil Foden faced some criticism for his opening performance against Serbia but avoided being dropped and he made a bright start early-on against Denmark, setting England on a dangerous attack down the right after drifting in-field.
Big miss on 13 minutes where he really should have done better, getting his shot all wrong as it went way over the bar. His running was impressive in the first-half but his finishing was not.
Went close to restoring England’s lead around the hour mark when his shot cannoned off the woodwork from 20 yards. Subbed off on 69 minutes.
Harry Kane – 4
Harry Kane produced the first goal of the match in the 18th minute to put England in control, scoring an easy tap-in from close range at the back post.
But his horrible, mislaid pass put England on the back foot for Denmark’s equaliser. Hooked off in the 69th minute, which shows how poor his overall play was given his importance to the side.
What about England’s substitutes?
Conor Gallagher came on in the 54th minute and made an instant impact with a sliding interception to stop a dangerous ball to Christian Eriksen. Booked in the 62th minute, though, for stamping on Andreas Christensen’s foot.
Jarrod Bowen, Ollie Watkins and Eberechi Eze came on for the last 21 minutes of normal time and looked good in flashes but none of them made a big enough impact.