New Delhi: The top two contenders of Group C in UEFA Euro 2024, Denmark and England, will face each other in Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. This will be the first time the two teams will face each other since the Euro 2020 semi-final which the Three Lions won 2-1 from behind in extra time at Wembley Stadium.
Denmark led the game thanks to Christian Eriksen’s goal in the 17th minute. The Manchester United star chested his teammate Joans Wind’s flick to find the nets. However, the Danish were left disappointed after Slovenia levelled in the second half.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand has reflected on the match and said that the side was “too passive” and lacked energy in the closing stage of the game. He has maintained that the team needs to play intense football throughout the game if they want to collect three points from one of the two remaining group fixtures.
Since the beginning of March 2023, the Danish have been tough to beat, with just one loss from their 13 games. However, their 1-1 draw against Slovenia meant they had only one win from their last six group matches at the European. The 1992 winners now need to gain enough points to ensure they don’t exit consecutive major tournaments from the group stage after failing to reach knockouts in the 2022 World Cup.
England will come to the match as the only team that has won a game in Group C. Though Jude Bellingham put his side in the lead early, the English team didn’t trouble the scorers after their goal. This resulted in a nervy 2nd half after the Serbians came back as a much more aggressive unit.
However, the 1-0 win has led to English manager Gareth Southgate taking positives from the game stating that the side was resilient at the face of constant Serbian threats. A win against Denmark will ensure England reach the final 16.
England have remained undefeated in the group stage since Euros 2004. They are also the first team in the European Championship to keep clean sheets in five consecutive group-stage games of the competition.
Team News
Denmark boss Hjulmand may go with the same starting lineup on Thursday with Joachim Andersen along with Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen and Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard remaining in the three-man defence in front of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Joakim Maehle may get a call as a wing-back in place of Alexander Bah or Victor Kristiansen. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will link with Morten Hjulmand in the centre-midfield. Rasmus Hojlund with 15 international appearances for Denmark will feature alongside Jonas Wind. Eriksen is expected to continue as the number 10 role.
England will mostly remain unchanged except for a couple of changes with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden likely to get dropped to the bench. Foden has struggled to make an impact on the left flank. The Manchester City star’s preferred position of central or right is filled by Bellingham and Saka respectively. Foden may get replaced by Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer or Eberechi Eze.
Though Kieran Trippier did suffer cramps against Serbia towards the match’s end he is expected to feature in the game English skipper Harry Kane, will lead the line and make an impact in the final third.
Head to Head
Of the 22 games England have played against Denmark, they have won 13 while Serbia have won four games. Both sides have played five draw games. While England have an upper hand in the head-to-head, Denmark isn’t a team that can be written off easily and will look to ensure their place in the final 16.
Predicted lineups
Denmark: Schmeichel; Andersen, Christensen, Vestergaard; Bah, Hjulmand, Hojbjerg, Kristiansen; Eriksen; Wind, Hojlund
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
When, where and how to watch the Denmark vs England match in India?
The Denmark vs England UEFA Euro 2024 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Euro 2024 will be available on SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 9:30 pm IST tonight.
England as the only team to have won a game in the Group C will hope to qualify for the knockouts with a game to spare. Denmark will hope to finish second and move to the final 16. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
