Denmark's Morten Hjulmand runs to celebrate after scoring his side's first goal during a Group C match between Denmark and England. Photo / AP
Denmark's Morten Hjulmand runs to celebrate after scoring his side's first goal during a Group C match between Denmark and England. Photo / AP
- England drew 1-1 with Denmark at Euro 2024, with Harry Kane scoring early but later substituted.
- Denmark equalised through Morten Hjulmand’s long-range shot after a mistake by Kane.
- England’s performance was shaky, but they still have a chance to top Group C after next Wednesday’s match.
England was far from convincing in a 1-1 draw with Denmark today even if the result likely ensured they advance to the round of 16 at the European Championship.
Harry Kane gave England another fast start at Euro 2024, scoring in the 18th minute, but the captain was substituted off in the second half as the team faded. England coach Gareth Southgate removed his forward line in a triple substitution with 25 minutes to play.
England's Harry Kane celebrates with Kieran Trippier after scoring the opening goal in the Group C match between Denmark and England Euro 2024. Photo / AP
Denmark levelled in the 34th when Morten Hjulmand fired in a powerful low shot from long distance, after Kane gave away the ball in defence.
The Danes made England look ragged in the second half, attacking the end from where English fans’ anxiety and jeers increased late in the game.
England has four points from two games, after edging past Serbia 1-0 in its first match. That points tally always has been enough to advance in the 24-team Euros format.
Still, England can finish in any position from first to third in the Group C standings after playing unbeaten Slovenia next Wednesday NZT.
Slovenia drew 1-1 with Serbia earlier today, four days after getting the same result against Denmark. Serbia and Denmark also play Wednesday.
Southgate had defended his players from what seemed like unfair criticism for the nervy nature of the win against Serbia, ceding some control after Jude Bellingham’s early goal.
Bellingham was subdued and Southgate removed the stellar strike trio of Kane, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in one sweep. Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins came on and within two minutes Watkins almost scored with a shot after a darting run.
Southgate looked flat-out furious in the 85th after England repeatedly gave away the ball and surrendered a series chances to Denmark.
The England coach barked at his players from the dugout with both index fingers pointing to his temples, urging them to think.
England seized the lead on sleepiness in the Denmark defence. Hesitation by Victor Kristiansen let right-back Kyle Walker surge past him to steal the ball for a pass across the goalmouth.
When the ball reached Kane he poked home a left-footed shot for a record extending 64th England goal for the captain.
Kane had his part in Denmark’s leveler. His unwise pass out of defence soon went to Hjulmand, who strode forward to fire a low shot past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and in the net off his right-hand post.
The game was played beneath a closed stadium roof on slippery turf that cut up after steady rain this week.
