England face Denmark in their second Euro 2024 match in Group C, knowing victory will send the Three Lions through to the knockout stages.
Gareth Southgate’s side produced an unconvincing display in beating Serbia 1-0 on Sunday, and can expect a tougher examination from a Denmark side which includes Manchester United duo Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund. Eriksen scored as the Danes took the lead against Slovenia in their opening match, but a late equaliser saw the game finish 1-1.
Much of the talk since England’s first game has focused on the roles of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden, and how they fit into the team, but Southgate says he is shutting out the noise and is expected to stick with a similar line-up to the one which started well against Serbia before fading dramatically in the second half, in the hope of an improved performance in Frankfurt today.
Follow team news, line-ups and all the latest updates from England v Denmark below.
England team news and predicted line-up
England have no fresh injury concerns after their opening win against Serbia, although Luke Shaw trained away from the group as the left back continues an individualised programme after returning from injury. He is unlikely to feature, with Kieran Trippier set to continue at left-back.
It would make sense for Southgate to go with roughly the same starting line-up, as he appears to have consolidated his favoured eleven. Although there are still question marks about who plays next to Declan Rice in midfield, expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to start once more, given his encouraging performance in the opener.
Predicted England XI: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Alexander-Arnold; Foden, Bellingham, Saka; Kane
Luke Baker20 June 2024 11:51
Bukayo Saka says England’s attacking talent means ‘everything is possible’
Bukayo Saka insists England’s wealth of attacking options means the sky is the limit at Euro 2024.
“Everything is possible with that,” he told ITV Sport when asked what England can achieve with Saka, Bellingham, Phil Foden and Harry Kane playing together.
“He (Bellingham) since he was 17 he was always so mature, he always knew how to carry himself on and off the pitch.
“What he has done this season has been special so I was a bit taken aback, 20 years old going to Real Madrid and doing what he has done, it is unbelievable but it is no surprise when you know him as a person.”
Asked to describe Bellingham in one word, Saka replied: “Wow!”
Luke Baker20 June 2024 11:40
Southgate draws comparison between Bellingham and Rooney
The Three Lions will be looking to make it two wins in their first two Euros group games after beating Serbia 1-0 in their opener thanks to a bullet header from their star midfielder.
“Over the years, we have had some good players and we have good players now,” Southgate said, likening Bellingham’s impact to that of Wayne Rooney at Euro 2004. The success of the team will not depend just on Jude, it can’t all rest on his shoulders.”
Luke Baker20 June 2024 11:25
Southgate reveals exact Alexander-Arnold role ahead of Denmark clash
“I think he’s less likely to be a player who dictates tempo,” Southgate explained. “That’s a different type and probably midfield players who have been in there forever and really understand the flow of a game.
“What I do see is that range of passing and that ability to open up a defence that might be blocking spaces, defending low. He’s somebody that’s going to cause opposition players to be aware that we can play balls in behind them at any point with fantastic accuracy.
“His understanding of the game is good. All the defensive responsibilities we’ve asked of him, it’s not necessarily been where he’s played for many years but he’s been really diligent and open to wanting to take that on board. So, look, we know it’s a work in progress. We know it’s something that’s going to get a lot of attention as it’s not been the norm. But we feel it’s something that can add to what we’ve got.”
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 11:12
Southgate reveals exact Alexander-Arnold role ahead of Denmark clash
And the England manager thinks Alexander-Arnold’s ability to play defence-splitting passes from a deeper role shows the type of midfielder he can be, rather than one who knits the game together with large numbers of short passes.
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 10:54
Kobbie Mainoo’s stunning rise could be about to see its biggest moment yet
Here’s our chief football writer, Miguel Delaney, on Kobbie Mainoo and how the young midfielder might break into this England team:
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 10:40
In the same press conference yesterday, Southgate expressed his appreciation for Denmark’s Christian Eriksen.
“He is a top quality player and he is probably going to be playing a little bit higher than the types of players that dictate the whole tempo of a game but you know that the quality of his passing, his ability to score goals, the quality of his set plays is exceptional, absolutely exceptional. It is a real strength for Denmark. He is a player I have huge admiration for.
“Of course, on a human level, I am delighted to see him back playing. We were watching that game three years ago and it is really heart-warming to see him come back and score. It was almost written but it is only written if you have the mentality and the desire to get back and play and play at the level he has.”
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 10:26
Walker explains why he is inspired by Modric and Pepe
Walker has looked to Pepe and Luka Modric for inspiration as he looks to become one of international football’s old-timers.
The England vice-captain recently turned 34 and has twice been talked out of international retirement by manager Gareth Southgate before, but now thinks Euro 2024 will not be his last tournament as he considers the prospect of carrying on for years.
Walker has taken heart from Croatia captain Luka Modric, who was named the third best player in the 2022 World Cup at 37, and Portugal defender Pepe, who became the oldest player in the history of the European Championship when he faced Czech Republic in Leipzig on Tuesday and hopes to prove he can excel as a footballing pensioner as well.
The Manchester City right-back has exceeded his own expectations by winning 84 caps and hopes there are many more to come.
He said: “Of course I want to go as far as I can. To represent my country as many times as I have done – honestly, I never thought I’d do it once, so to do it for the amount of years I’ve done it, I have to say is a credit to myself. But I look at Pepe and he’s 41 playing for Portugal. So, they’re the levels people are setting now, the likes of Luka Modric, people like that. These are people carrying on for top teams at a top level for a considerable amount of time. If they can do it, why can’t I?”
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 10:13
Walker: ‘I stay in my England bubble’
Walker did joke with media afterwards, stating: “Cheers lads. Keep writing though. Keep writing – I just don’t read it. But you’re doing well.”
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 09:59
Walker: ‘I stay in my England bubble’
A senior player in Kyle Walker exemplified the approach that Southgate spoke about, as he freely spoke of how he pays no attention to any discussion around a tournament.
“He had a brief talk with us last night, and normally there are 20 other Premier League teams to write about and fill columns about. Now all eyes are on us boys over here representing our country and we are all coming together as one.
“So obviously there is going to be a massive scrutiny in certain performances or certain things we do, but I think we cannot take away that we came away from there with three points on the board, a clean sheet and in a good stead for this game against Denmark.
“I don’t look at anything. Because I feel I’m in here and this is the only little bubble. I feel when you concentrate not on two games or three games time but just one game at a time, I feel that’s when you get the best out of each other. When you start listening to outside noise, or good press and bad press, it affects different people in different ways.
“If you were to write good things or bad things about me, if I don’t read it I don’t react and don’t change my opinion on what I’m going to approach a game like.
“I approach a game as a team game, I approach a game to go and win the game at all costs, and that’s all I care about really.”
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2024 09:49