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regular-article-logo Saturday, 04 May 2024

Euro 2020: Danes to test defence

Kasper Hjulmand’s team has a clear structure and method to their play which has earned them their place in the last four

Reuters Published 07.07.21, 02:50 AM
Kasper Hjulmand.

Kasper Hjulmand. File photo

England are yet to concede a goal in five games at Euro 2020 but their defence faces a considerable test from a Danish attack led by Kasper Dolberg.

Kasper Hjulmand’s team has a clear structure and method to their play which has earned them their place in the last four.

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In attack, Martin Braithwaite creates the spaces which Mikkel Damsgaard and Dolberg have exploited well and there is a threat from attacking wing backs Jens Stryger Larsen and Joakim Maehle.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney are a firm presence in the centre of midfield while the back line in front of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been solid.

England defender Harry Maguire will be at the heart of Southgate’s defence which has yet to concede a goal in the tournament. Gareth Southgate will also rely on Kieran Trippier, his go-to man for special ops. The 30-year-old started at left back against Croatia, but began at right wing back against Germany to stifle Robin Gosens and succeeded. He could track one of Denmark’s threats, Maehle, if Southgate decides to match up with their wing-back system.

The options available to Southgate have increased with the return of teenage winger Bukayo Saka to training on Monday after he missed the 4-0 quarter-final victory over Ukraine with a knock.

Sorry, it’s semis

West Germany captain Lothar Matthaus (left) consoles England’s Paul Gascoigne after the 1990 World Cup semi-final in Turin.

West Germany captain Lothar Matthaus (left) consoles England’s Paul Gascoigne after the 1990 World Cup semi-final in Turin. Getty Images

England’s triumph in the 1966 World Cup on home soil was supposed to spark more success in the coming years. But the story did not turn out that way as the Three Lions have never managed to reach the final of a major tournament since then, losing four major semi-finals in the last 55 years.

Sudipto Gupta looks back at England’s semi-final stumbles.

Euro 1968: Yugoslavia 1-0 England

Two years after their World Cup triumph, England reached the semi-finals of the European Championship where they faced Yugoslavia, an opponent they had never beaten on foreign soil. Dragan Dzajic outwitted Bobby Moore to reach a long ball, brought it down with his chest and then beat Gordon Banks. The goal was a killer blow as it came five minutes from time.

World Cup 1990: England 1-1 West Germany (3-4 on penalties)

On way to the semis, England did not really play impressive football. In the semi-final, they fell behind on the hour mark when Andreas Brehme’s free-kick found a lucky deflection. Gary Linekar equalised nine minutes from time. After extra-time too ended 1-1, Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed in the penalty shhot-out and England were eliminated.

Euro 1996: England 1-1 Germany (5-6 on penalties)

On home turf, England’s dreams were shattered when Gareth Southgate’s weak effort was stopped by Andreas Kopke in the tie-breaker. Andreas Moller then converted his chance from the spot to help Germany win.

World Cup 2018: England 1-2 Croatia (after extra-time)

Southgate’s team had actually exceeded expectations by reaching the semis. Kieran Trippier’s free-kick gave Engalnd an early lead, but Ivan Perisic’s second-half strike helped Croatia draw level. The Croatians, led by Luka Modric, took control of the game and Mario Mandzukic got the winning goal in extra time to oust England.

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