Gareth Southgate acknowledged that England need to improve if they are to win Euro 2024 after failing to secure their place in the knockout stages with a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday. A point was the least the Danes deserved as England were again flattered to deceive in Frankfurt after a disappointing 1-0 win over Serbia in the tournament opener. Harry Kane gave the Three Lions an early lead when England capitalized on a Danish defensive error. Morten Hjulmand’s rocket from outside the box equalized before half-time and Denmark were left ruing missed late opportunities to secure a famous victory.
“There’s a lot of work to do, that’s evident from the two performances we put in – it was clearly not what we expected,” Southgate said.
“We understand that people will be disappointed with the displays and rightly so. We have to make them much better.”
England remain top of Group C, two points clear of Slovenia, who they face in Cologne on Tuesday, and Denmark.
Serbia’s late goal in the 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Thursday also keeps their fate in their own hands.
England only need a point to guarantee qualification and would win the group with a victory in the final group game.
Southgate said on Wednesday that he avoids media coverage during tournaments to escape negative stories.
But he accepted that more criticism will come after another flat display from one of the pre-tournament favourites.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said on the eve of the game that they would not be fueled by revenge for the pain suffered in the Euro 2020 semi-finals against England three years ago.
However, the Danes were a different beast to the team that disappointed in the 2022 World Cup and in the draw with Slovenia to open the tournament in Germany.
Denmark got off to a better start as both teams struggled to cope with a shaky pitch in Frankfurt, which deteriorated badly in just the second game of five at Euro 2024.
Still, England capitalized on a shout from Hjulmand’s men to take the lead in the 18th minute.
Victor Kristiansen was caught off guard by Kyle Walker’s run down the right and his deflected low cross fell perfectly for Kane to score his 13th major tournament goal.
Failing to capitalize on an early 1-0 lead has been a consistent criticism of England under Southgate.
This time, Denmark were not intimidated by conceding a goal, although it took a spectacular strike to equalize.
Hjulmand had plenty of space in the English midfield to target, but made the most of the long range with a powerful shot that hit the inside of the post as it entered.
Phil Foden’s form for England was the subject of much debate, after once again failing to shine at international level against Serbia.
The Manchester City ace looked much more like the man who won this season’s Premier League player of the year award and was inches away from restoring England’s lead with a low shot that hit the post.
Southgate’s caution has been criticized in the past, but he was bold in his changes in pursuit of a winner as Kane, Foden and Bukayo Saka were sacrificed for Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins and Jarrod Bowen.
“We thought it was important to get speed and energy in the forward line,” Southgate added when explaining his decisions.
Watkins almost made an immediate impact when he was denied by Schmeichel after a brilliant pass from Jude Bellingham.
However, it was Denmark who had the best opportunities to take the three points in the finals.
Andreas Christensen went over when unmarked following a corner, before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg curled in inches away.
“I can’t say we are disappointed, but it’s a shame. There was a result we could have achieved,” said Danish coach Hjulmand.
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