England player ratings vs Denmark: Alexander-Arnold experiment fails again as timid Declan Rice struggles
England missed out on the chance to wrap up top spot in Euro 2024’s Group C after being held to a 1-1 draw by Denmark in Frankfurt.
The Three Lions, as in Sunday’s opener against Serbia, took an early lead, this time through Harry Kane, but were again guilty of resting on their laurels in an underwhelming display.
Morten Hjulmand equalised for the Danes with a superb long-range strike and while Phil Foden hit the post after the break, Gareth Southgate’s side seldom looked likely to find a winner.
Here’s how England side rated at Deutsche-Bank Park...
Jordan Pickford 6
A 21st major tournament appearance, surpassing Peter Shilton’s record for England goalkeepers. No chance with the goal.
Kyle Walker 6
Ageless. Great opportunism and athleticism to make England’s opener.
John Stones 5
Needed to use his experience to urge England’s midfield higher up the pitch. Some good defending deep in his own box but not as composed as usual.
Marc Guehi 6
Good, aggressive stuff from the Crystal Palace man. Showed Serbia performance was no fluke. Vital recovery from his own error late on.
Kieran Trippier 5
Won his 50th cap and was his usual reliable self defensively but England continue to be lop-sided in attack
Trent Alexander-Arnold 4
A tough evening. Loose in possession and his lack of experience in midfield told with some dreadful positioning off the ball. Far too deep. Time up on the experiment?
Declan Rice 5
Like Alexander-Arnold, played on top of his centre-backs when England needed someone to step out. Still effective in breaking up the play but far from flawless with the ball.
Bukayo Saka 6
So important to this team. Takes the ball under pressure and drives England up the pitch. Again gave his full-back a torrid time.
Jude Bellingham 5
Huge contrast with the first-half against Serbia. Unable to get in the game in the opening 45 minutes here from No10. More involved in the second-half, creating Watkins chance, but guilty of overplaying.
Phil Foden 6
A big improvement after a quiet start. Went close with a couple of curlers, hit the post, showed his class with some nice runs. Visibly took responsibility towards the end of the first-half as England searched for a foothold.
Harry Kane 5
On target for the 64th time in an England shirt but then gave the ball away in build-up to Denmark goal. That he was taken off with so long to play said a fair bit.
Substitutes
Conor Gallagher (Alexander-Arnold 54’) 6
Crucial clearance minutes after coming on probably stopped Denmark going 2-1 up. Booked.
Eberechi Eze (Saka 69’) 5
On as part of a front-line refresh but made little impact.
Jarrod Bowen (Foden 69’) 5
A similar story, given a decent opportunity as one of Southgate’s “finishers” but unable to take it.
Ollie Watkins (Kane 69’) 5
Denied by Schmeichel within minutes of coming on.
Unused: Ramsdale, Pope, Konsa, Dunk, Gomez, Wharton, Mainoo, Gordon, Palmer, Toney.