Frankfurt, Germany (Reuters)After Harry Kane’s early strike inspired England to a 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday, England must wait to qualify for the European Championship knockout stage.
England missed the chance to become the first side to win their two Euro opening games after a second consecutive poor performance.
The 2020 runners-up lead Group C with four points after Slovenia’s 1-1 draw with Serbia, while Denmark is second with two.
“We know we can improve,” Kane remarked. “I know there will probably be loads of noise and a bit of disappointment back home but we experienced this in the last Euros as well.”
Both sides started the game poorly, throwing passes that silenced the sea of red and white fans, including the Prince of Wales and Denmark’s King Frederik.
In the 18th minute, Kyle Walker sprinted in to dispossess Victor Kristiansen and blasted in a cross that dropped to Kane, who leads England in major tournament goals with 13.
Captain rushed and shot left-footed from close range into bottom left corner. Four major tournament goals tie him with Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney for England’s most.
After that, Denmark were better and an equaliser was inevitable.
The Danes took advantage of England’s shoddy play in the 34th minute when Kane’s throw-in ball to Kristiansen, who passed to Morten Hjulmand. A 30-yard thunderbolt from the 24-year-old hit the left post and into the net.
“It hasn’t quite dawned on me yet — to score a goal for Denmark at a major finals is really, really big, so of course I’m proud,” he added.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Denmark’s midfielder, thought his team should have won.
“I would have traded it for three points,” he remarked of his man of the match award. Our smart play was frustrating because we couldn’t score. We can bring a lot, but we must take time and look ahead.”
With 20 minutes left, Southgate substituted Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, and Eberechi Eze for Kane, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka to add energy.
The narrowest miss came from Foden, who hit the post in the second half in a much more vibrant display on Thursday than in the Serbia encounter.
Jude Bellingham, who scored England’s only goal in their 1-0 opening triumph over Serbia in a brilliant first half, rarely saw action against Denmark’s tough midfield of Hojbjerg and Hjulmand on Thursday.
England fans left within minutes of the last whistle, but Denmark fans celebrated in the finish.
“We understand the supporters’ frustration from the outside, but as a staff and team we need to stay together,” said 50th-cap England defender Kieran Trippier. “We know as players we can take it up so many levels.”
On Tuesday, England and Denmark play Slovenia and Serbia, respectively, in their last group game. All four teams can still advance.