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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 15:58:02 GMT
It was a love-in as far as each coach's pre-match interviews went. You're never gonna get Jack-the-lad from Southgate and Hjulmand didn't raise the aggression bar either. Let's hope for a more bloody encounter on the field.
England, coming from the 1-0 win over Serbia, remain unchanged; Denmark, thwarted by a Slovenia draw, have one change affecting the right wing.
Denmark: Schmeichel, Vestergaard, Andersen, Christensen, Kristiansen, Hojbjerg, Hjulmand, Maehle, Eriksen, Hojlund, Wind.
Subs: Hermansen, Ronnow, Kjaer, Jensen, Skov Olsen, Dolberg, Jorgensen, Damsgaard, Norgaard, Bah, Poulsen, Dreyer, Kristensen, Bruun Larsen.
England: Pickford, Trippier, Guehi, Stones, Walker, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Foden, Bellingham, Saka, Kane.
Subs: Ramsdale, Henderson, Konsa, Dunk, Gomez, Gallagher, Gordon, Mainoo, Wharton, Bowen, Eze, Palmer, Toney, Watkins.
The referee is Artur Soares Dias from Portugal. He was the ref who had a tunnel bust-up with England assistant coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink back in March after the friendly with Brazil, with Floyd unhappy at the number of unfair Brazilian challenges that went unpunished by Dias, who back in 2017 was also the subject of death threats before the Primeira game between Pacos de Ferreira and Porto. He upset Carlo Ancelotti after last year's Real Madrid draw with Man City after claiming the ball was out before De Bruyne equalized.
Dias also sent off two Arsenal players against Villareal in a Europa League clash in 2021 so he is not all bad.
DENMARK 9/2
ENGLAND 7/10
DRAW 5/2
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Post by MrFurious on Jun 20, 2024 16:04:52 GMT
England win please for part 3/4
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 16:20:00 GMT
Yeah I can't get going on this one. Foden fires it wide of the net just there on '13. It's a game of loose balls and cagy play. Shearer's nasal metallic drawl is becoming a nuisance once again. He won't let up about the softness of the pitch. The Denmark crowd is in good form but the atmosphere lacks an edge which is dictated by the run of play. Kane tries a left-footer there but it's easily blocked. Come on.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 16:22:38 GMT
GOAL
Walker, who changed his boots five minutes ago, stays on his feet long enough to charge down the right flank and slip in a deflected cross to Kane who sweeps it past Schmeical for one-nothing.
The game needed a goal to get both sides going. It'll get Denmark going but will it send England into overcautious mode?
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 16:35:54 GMT
Victor Kristiansen definitely at fault for the England goal. He was in possession and paying attention to Saka who was tracking him. Dreaming, he did not see Walker bounding up behind him to dispossess him and go on to feed Kane.
Vestergaard booked for going in on Saka there for the first card of the match.
The game hits a lull before Holjberg sends a trickling ball along the England by-line which somehow stays in for Eriksen to collect; he tries to feed someone nearby but the ball falls to Pickford who gratefully receives.
You have to say it's been more Denmark since Kane potted. Ten minutes till the intermission as Jonas Wind scythes a deflected one wide of goal for Denmark. Corner. Danish pressure. Vestergaard. He rises and it flies over the bar. Pressure.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 16:38:51 GMT
GOAL
It's a rocket from Morten Hjulmand. He exploited Kane's poor ball and fired it from outside the area. Low. Swerving. Unstoppable. Pickford might as well have not been there. And it started with an England throw-in.
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Post by MrFurious on Jun 20, 2024 16:43:08 GMT
Pass the ball to Harry young Foden!!
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 16:48:58 GMT
INTERMISSION
England take lead. England sit back. Opponent equalizes.
Coming soon. 'How to Attack Once You've Taken a Lead' a new book by Gareth Southgate.
Cheapest book on the market. Bound to be. No pages in it.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:15:22 GMT
The half-time panel ridiculously calling for the withdrawal of Kane for Watkins, missing the point completely, surely. Kane only played deep because the midfield was. The midfield dictates where Kane is, surely? Anyone?
There is, though, little cohesion in the opening second half minutes about the midfield unit.
F****** Shearer has got loads to say without actually suggesting a way for improvement.
A rare long ball, from Arnold, finds Saka in no-man's land but Saka can't finish. "At least he's willing to cut in," says Shearer begrudgingly. You cock : the players up front are ready but need service.
Arnold is removed and Gallagher is brought on, like in the Serbia game but sooner.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:17:11 GMT
Arnold never looked suited to being moved to this midfield over the two games, you have to say.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:24:32 GMT
The fans allowed to drink beer in the stands, the way it should be, the civilized way. At soulless Wembley you can only drink Coke with the plastic top confiscated.
Gallagher booked. Going into the final third of the game. Denmark teasing England around the centre circle. Look at, of all players, Harry Kane - chasing it, being led a merry dance.
Although I wish Shearer would shut the F*** UP, an injection of rocket fuel is needed here. Is the stage too big for Cole Palmer? We may never know for the time being.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:29:40 GMT
Watch it Gallagher, you're on a yellow as you go charging in again.
Watkins, Bowen and Ese come on.
Foden, Saka and goalscorer Harry Kane go off.
Poulsen for Rasmus for Denmark.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:36:14 GMT
Watkins is fed through and he skips into the area at an angle; his shot is easily saved by Schemical.
And straight away at the other end, Holjberg sees a searing shot pushed aside by Pickford.
Now Watkins getting forward again. England's general direction is now more forward than sideways.
Who will break the draw, then? It's anybody's but since the subs switch England's odds have improved somewhat with a quarter-hour remaining.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:40:12 GMT
Shearer first half "The pitch is cut up, full of divots, affecting play"
Shearer with 15 minutes to go "Too many stray passes. Don't look at me and tell me the pitch is bobbly."
Ack, get back to flogging Big Macs on TV.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:46:18 GMT
We're in the last ten minutes. Points-wise Denmark need the win more than England, who will be okay with the draw, but performance-wise this is not mouth-wateringly enjoyable from England. It depends what you really want most - points or performance; you can never have both with England.
Corner Denmark. Christensen can't finish with the open goal before him. A minute later Hojberg sees his shot go wide of the post with Pickford rooted to the spot.
Once again, Southgate's feverish eyes on his wristwatch, counting down the minutes to when the referee will blow up.
But is there a third goal in this?
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:51:02 GMT
Three minutes of added time. I don't want to say it, but this makes for dismal watching. It can't be overstated. A point, aye. But precious little else.
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Post by staggerstag on Jun 20, 2024 17:53:57 GMT
It's all over at 1-1.
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