Pickford’s clean sheet ruined by Hjulmand’s goal

June 21, 2024

England’s efforts to qualify for the next stage of Euro 2024 were thwarted by Denmark when Morten Hjulmand cancelled out Harry Kane’s opener with a long-range shot in the two countries’ 1-1 draw in Frankfurt.

Everton’s Jordan Pickford set a new record for the Three Lions with 21 tournament appearances, but was denied the title for most games without conceding a goal ahead of Peter Shilton when the ball was lost at a throw-in and Hjulmand capitalised with a clear long-range shot that rebounded off the post and into the net.

Gareth Southgate ignored criticism of his line-up against Serbia by sticking with Trent Alexander-Arnold, but his performance seemed vindicated when Kane capitalised on Kyle Walker’s attacking work and some good rebounds to slot a shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

But England sat back, delivered an uncoordinated performance and paid the price, failing to establish themselves in the game long enough to regain the lead.

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Southgate eventually took off Alexander-Arnold, but also took off Kane and brought on Ollie Watkins. The Aston Villa striker came closer to scoring the winner than anyone in white, but his shot deflected.

In the day’s other Group C match, Slovenia were seconds away from their first major tournament win, but Luka Jovic equalised for Serbia with a stoppage-time goal to earn a 1-1 draw.

Reader comments (3)

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Christy Ring

1 Posted on 20.06.2024 at 21:21:23

Listened to the Southgate interview after the game, the reason for another poor performance: “We didn’t replace Kalvin Phillips”, unbelievable?!

Kieran Kinsella

2 Posted on 20.06.2024 at 21:56:55

Christy,

To be fair, Phillips has only been playing regular football for two years. Another classic from Southgate:

“Our pressing wasn’t intense enough and that meant our back line had a problem with players dropping back on either side of our pivots, so that’s something that needs to get better. We know that with the profile of players we have, we don’t feel like we can really press high up the pitch.

“I don’t think that’s the physical level the team at the moment. But we have to find a way to be more compact and to play more difficult than in the last three halves.”

So we play a bad pressing game because our players are not fit enough? OK, then why do we play a pressing game? Harry Kane also said the players were “unsure” where to go. A brilliant tactical masterpiece.

Jack Convery

3 Posted on 21.06.2024 at 01:22:05

Thank God he left Branthwaite at home. Playing with that group wouldn’t be good for his mental health.

Next game.

1Pickford
2Walker 5Stones 4Guehi 3Trippier – where is the fit left-footed LB?
6Rice 8Bellingham
10Foden
11Bowen 9Watkins 7Gordon

If Bellingham has a calf injury, and to me it looked like he did, then leave him out and put Palmer in.

No expert mentioned that England will finish third if Slovenia beat us and Denmark beat Serbia!