Unyielding Denmark, troubled by… confused England!

Turn on… red on England the Denmark. Even 1-1 came the duel in Frankfurt, with the Scandinavians blocking the “lions”, who did not get the … message from the poor performance against Serbia in the 1st matchday.

Somehow, however, the British came closer to qualifying for the knockouts, reaching four points. There is huge interest in the final matchday, with Denmark and Slovenia each having two points, while Serbia has one.

In the coach’s mind

With 4-2-3-1 Gareth Shawgate lined up the Brits against the Scandinavians, choosing Pickford under the posts, Stones and Gwehi in central defence, while Walker and Tripper were the full-backs. Alexander-Arnold and Rice the two midfielders, while Saka and Foden were on the “wings”, with Bellingham moving behind Kane.

With 3-5-2 Denmark was represented by Kasper Hulmand. Schmeichel under the posts, Andersen, Vestegaard and Christensen the three stoppers. Hoibierg and Hülman the two midfielders, while Christiansen and Mele had the two sides. Eriksen will have a role… playmaker behind Hoylund and Weed.

The match

THE England had the initiative of the movements at the start of the match. She got the ball at her feet, with her crowd pushing her, but struggled to break through the opposition defense and get into the opposition area.

He did it for the first time in the 13th minute. For this to happen, a personal action was needed, as Mr Foden he maneuvered beautifully, but his shot went over the bar. The second good moment of the British he also made it 1-0. Christiansen dribbled down the left side, Walker took his… wallet and ran into the backs of the opposing defense.

Then he did the shoot, o Christensen he couldn’t put away and Kane executed from close range.

Having opened the scoring, England fell behind as they did against Serbia, except this time they paid for it. Denmark gained ground on the pitch and gradually raised their performance.

Hulmant with a fireball many meters outside the area sent the ball over the post and in, scoring a goal in the 34th minute. The scene didn’t change even after the equaliser, with Denmark having pace and frequent visits to the opposition area. In the 44th Hoiberg, in a phase reminiscent of that of the goal, made a shot from outside the area, but not strong enough to beat Pickford. Shortly before, Foden shot over the goal again, just like in the 45′, testing his foot from a distance.

After the break, England appeared fitter mentally and more courageously, starting better than Denmark. Rice could not worry Schmeichel in the 51st minute, but five minutes after the “lions” they touched 2-1. Foden made a drift shot outside the area and the ball ended up in the left post by Schmeichel.

Seeing that England were not as pressing as he would have liked, Southgate made a triple change to breathe life into the team offensively. He took too big of a risk though, taking out Kane, Foden and Saka (putting in Watkins, Bowen and Eze).

However, it almost came straight out of him. With Watkins getting into a shooting position and a bit wide, but he was beaten by Schmeichel in the 71st minute. Two minutes later Hojbjerg made a very nice shot, with Pickford to drive to his right corner.

Watkins’ spell turned out to be … fireworks from an England side who looked confused after the triple change. Within three minutes, Denmark had two good moments to make it 2-1. In the 83rd, Ba, who was fresh in the match, left from the right, but made a bad control, was inactive and only took the corner.

Hoibierg in the 85th minute made a sweet shot from the edge of the area, sending the ball just wide. From then on, both teams seemed to settle for a draw.

See here the progress of the match via sport-fm.gr.

Denmark (Kasper Hulmant): Schmeichel – Andersen, Westergaard, Christensen – Mele, Christiansen (57′ Ba), Hoibierg, Hulmand (82′ Norgaard), Eriksen (82′ Skov Olsen) – Wied (57′ Damsgaard), Hoylund (67′ Poulsen).

England (Gareth Southgate): Pickford – Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier – Alexander-Arnold (54′ Gallagher), Rice – Xhaka (69′ Eze), Foden (69′ Bowen), Bellingham – Kane (69′ Watkins)

Referee: Arthur Soares Dias (Portugal)