England will have to seek qualification for the knockout stages of the European Championship in the final round after being held to a 1-1 draw against Denmark on Thursday.
Harry Kane opened the scoring for the English, but the favorites ended the match clinging to just one point.
It was the second consecutive lackluster performance for Gareth Southgate’s side, who squandered the chance to become the first English team to win their first two matches at the European Championships.
The draw leaves the 2020 runners-up at the top of Group C with four points, while Denmark are in second place with 2, following Slovenia’s 1-1 draw with Serbia.
“We know we can get better,” Kane said. “I know there will probably be a lot of noise and a bit of disappointment at home, but we also experienced it at the last European Championship.”
Kane, who has now scored more goals in major tournaments than any other English player with 13, gave England the lead in the 18th minute when Kyle Walker won a challenge with Victor Kristiansen and sent a low cross into the area.
However, Denmark was the best team on the pitch and a draw seemed inevitable.
The Danes took advantage of England’s sloppy play in the 34th minute when Kane’s pass was intercepted by Kristiansen, who passed to Morten Hjulmand. The 24-year-old launched a rocket from about 30 meters away which bounced off the left post and into the goal.
“I haven’t realized it yet: scoring a goal for Denmark in a final is very, very important, so of course I’m proud,” Hjulmand said.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, who scored England’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Serbia in a dazzling performance, barely featured on Thursday against Real Madrid’s physical midfield.
Within minutes of the final whistle, the English fans had largely left, while the Danish team was left full of cheering fans.
England face Slovenia in their final group match on Tuesday, while the Danes face Serbia on the same day, with all four teams still in contention to progress to the tournament.
Source: Terra
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