(Football news) The matchup between the two countries takes place for the first time since the Three Lions overcame a 2-1 deficit in extra time at Wembley Stadium during the 2020 Euro semifinals.
Christian Eriksen made a heartwarming comeback to the continental scene on Sunday by scoring the first goal in Denmark’s Group C match against Slovenia, precisely 1,100 days after going into cardiac arrest during the country’s debut Euro 2020 match.
The Manchester United playmaker chested down a superb flick from teammate Jonas Wind before poking home a first-time shot in the 17th minute. However, it was not quite the perfect comeback for Eriksen, as his opener was cancelled out by a deflected long-range shot from Slovenia’s Erik Janza 13 minutes from time, forcing both sides to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand admitted after the match that his side were “too passive” and lacked intensity in the closing stages, and he has encouraged his players to maintain their high energy levels for the entire 90 minutes if they wish to claim three precious points from at least one of their remaining two group fixtures.
Ranked 21st in the world by FIFA, Denmark have made themselves difficult to beat in recent months as they have only lost one of their last 13 international matches since the beginning of March 2023, but the draw with Slovenia means they have now won just one of their last six group fixtures at the European Championship (W1 D1 L4).
The Euro 1992 winners head into Thursday’s contest having won just four of their previous 22 meetings with England, and failure to claim maximum points will put them in danger of exiting the group stage at a second consecutive major tournament, after falling at the first hurdle at the 2022 World Cup.
Following a memorable debut season at Real Madrid, Jude Bellingham inspired England to an important 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening Group C match on Sunday, ensuring the Three Lions’ quest to banish the demons of Euro 2020 began in positive fashion.
The floodgates were seemingly primed to open when 20-year-old Bellingham powered home a header from Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross in the 13th minute, but England failed to capitalise on their early dominance which led to a nervy second half, as they were forced to soak up pressure from a much-improved Serbian outfit.
Nevertheless, manager Gareth Southgate can take positives from a defensive perspective as his side showed “resilience” to quell the threat of Serbia. England eventually held on for maximum points and subsequently sit two points clear of both Denmark and Slovenia, knowing that victory against the former on Thursday will see them qualify for the last 16.
England have become the first nation in European Championship history to keep five consecutive clean sheets in the group stage of the competition, while they have not tasted defeat at the group stage since their Euro 2004 opener against France, recording eight wins and four draws since then.
Interestingly, England will be bidding to win their opening two matches at a Euros tournament for the very first time when they face Denmark on Thursday, but success against the Danes is not a given considering they have failed to win any of their previous three competitive meetings in 90 minutes.
Also read: England and how they can lineup against Denmark in thee next match
