England's journey in Euro 2024 continues as they secure a 1-1 draw against Denmark, maintaining an unbeaten record in the tournament. While the result virtually guarantees advancement to the round of 16, the match left fans and coach Gareth Southgate with mixed feelings.
The Three Lions showcased resilience, with Harry Kane opening the scoring in the 18th minute, demonstrating their offensive prowess. However, Denmark leveled the game in the 34th minute through Morten Hjulmand's impressive long-range strike, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Kane.
Despite the unbeaten streak, Thursday's match was marred by a series of mistakes and a lack of cohesion on the field. Coach Southgate expressed his frustration, stating, \"The team didn't function today, that is my responsibility.\" His animated gestures highlighted the late-game errors that squandered crucial scoring opportunities.
Kane's early goal was a promising start, but the subsequent substitution of the captain in the second half signaled a team struggle to maintain momentum. Southgate, reflecting on eight years of coaching, acknowledged the criticism but remains committed to fostering a winning mentality. \"We're in the environment of winning on the biggest stage,\" he affirmed.
Historically, England has enjoyed sustained tournament success under Southgate, reaching the final of Euro 2020 and securing strong showings in recent World Cups. However, a pattern of not winning back-to-back initial games at the Euros has persisted, underscoring a potential hurdle in their quest for another major title.
As England prepares for the upcoming matches, the focus remains on translating their unbeaten run into a title-contending campaign, aiming to overcome the \"second game syndrome\" that has challenged them in previous tournaments.
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England fail to convince in 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024
cgtn.com
