EVEN England’s biggest fan was left “broken” following the performance over Denmark.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions were held 1-1 in their second Euro 2024 group stage match.
The performance was lacklustre and left fans at home, and in the stadium in Frankfurt, frustrated.
None more so than England super-fan Andy Milne – the ‘Steve McClaren lookalike’ who has gained a reputation for always getting his face on the TV.
But his usual beaming smile was replaced with a glum look as fans felt the “face of a nation’s” pain.
One said: “Bloody hell. They’ve broke him.”
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Another added: “Even his spirit has now been broken.”
Andy – who has gone to nine Euros and eight World Cups – regularly features on the TV with huge grin.
But there was little to smile about after Harry Kane’s opener was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand’s wonderstrike.
England still top the group heading into the final group stage fixture against Slovenia on Tuesday.
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Southgate took responsibility for the performance and admitted rapid improvements must be made.
He said: “We are disappointed with the two performances we’ve had so we’ve got to go and analyse that in depth and find some solutions to addressing the issues that we have.
ENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGS
ENGLAND stumbled to a drab 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions team.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Looked a little jittery early doors, though there was nothing he could do about Morten Hjulmand’s corker and he made a decent parry after the break.
Kyle Walker: 7
Made England’s opener by racing round a sleeping Victor Kristiansen – he’ll be having nightmares of that forevermore – and teeing up Kane via a deflected cross.
John Stones: 6
OK but you have got to wonder how fit he feels having barely played for Man City in the second half of the season, plus his injury and illness issues over the last month.
Marc Guehi: 8 and my star man
Really encouraging again from the Crystal Palace centre-back, looking sharp with his interceptions and assured in distribution.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Stones, he was fine, but England really need Luke Shaw back ASAP because having no natural left-footer at left-back is a problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
This experiment of playing Trent in midfield is far from convincing, especially when his passing was off it like it was here, barring one good ball to Saka. Subbed on 54 minutes.
Declan Rice: 5
Had to cover so much ground as England dropped worryingly deep in the first half and also lost it a few times in front of his back four.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Not quite as electric as his first half against Serbia, but another solid showing from our right winger who has been our most consistent attacker across the two games.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Nowhere near the majestic display he put in against Serbia and one of many who looked tired.
Phil Foden: 7
Was far more involved than against Serbia – although that was not hard – and had a few dangerous efforts from range, including one that smacked the post after the break.
Harry Kane: 6
Netted his 64th goal for his country with an opener he could not really miss, but then gave the ball away from Denmark’s leveller. Surprisingly subbed.
SUBS:
Conor Gallagher (on for Trent, 54): 7
Vital clearance on the stretch when Christian Eriksen was lurking and was not afraid to put his foot in.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 70): 6
Played in by Bellingham’s lovely ball after coming on but could not finish from an acute angle.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Foden, 69): 6
Copped a nasty tackle which saw Joakim Maehle booked.
Eberechi Eze (on for Saka, 69): 6
On for his tournament bow though he was rarely involved.
“We know the level has to be higher. Maybe the biggest thing is we have to accept the environment that we’re in and the expectation around this.
“We are going to have to walk towards that challenge. At the moment we’re falling a bit short of that.
“Ultimately that’s my responsibility. I’m the manager and I’ve got to guide this group in the best way possible.
“To achieve extraordinary things, you have to go through some difficult moments.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
