Gareth Southgate will face tough questions, according to Alan Shearer, after England’s boring 1-1 draw with Denmark.
England knew going into the match that a victory would guarantee them a spot in the knockout stages, but they performed poorly even after Harry Kane gave them the lead. Both teams were unable to find a winner as Southgate’s team sat back and let Denmark back into the match. Morten Hjulmand’s incredible strike gave Denmark the equalizer.
Many were hoping for an improvement against Denmark after a lackluster performance against Serbia in the first game, but it just didn’t happen. After some excellent work down the right side by Kyle Walker, whose cut back found Kane, who properly added the finishing touch, the Three Lions seized the lead. Following their lead, England, as is so frequently the case under Southgate, chose to sit back rather than attack and paid the price when Hjulmand’s incredible strike into the corner from outside the box went unopposed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted off again, while Kane was ineffective as England appeared listless and lacked balance, especially in midfield. Given the skill at Southgate’s disposal, the performance will undoubtedly raise questions, and Shearer anticipates some very severe ones.
“Gareth Southgate will get serious questions,” he told BBC Sport.
“You see the players out there, Phil Foden and what he has done all season for Manchester City, Jude Bellingham turning up in the first game and not so much tonight, John Stones and what we have seen him do at club level.
“There is far more to get out of those players than he is getting at the moment.
“Gareth at the minute is not getting the best out of England’s best players.”
England has yet to win their first two games at a European Championship after their draw with Denmark. They will now have to wait until their last group match against Slovenia on Tuesday in order to advance to the knockout stages.
