This is an England team that is experiencing an identity crisis. FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – JUNE 20: Morten Hjulmand of Denmark celebrates scoring the equalising goal during Denmark’s UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match against England at the Frankfurt Arena on June 20, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo: James Baylis, AMA/Getty Images.)

With too many square pegs in round holes and too many big names failing to fire, England seemed a million miles away from being European champions.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY – JUNE 20: Morten Hjulmand of Denmark celebrates scoring the equalising goal during Denmark’s UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match against England at Frankfurt Arena on June 20, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by James Baylis, AMA/Getty Images)

Harry Kane made an early impression at Euro 2024.

He put England ahead after 18 minutes.

Morten Hjulmand equalised for Denmark.

His powerful long-range shot bounced off the post.

Kane was removed in the second half.

Gareth Southgate hooked England’s entire attacking trio midway through the second half of their Group C match, leaving many more questions than answers for the remainder of the campaign.

Harry Kane had put England ahead, but he, like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, was replaced with the game still in the balance. 

Morten Hjulmand’s long-range first-half equaliser earned Denmark a point, which was the least they deserved.

And, when Foden hit the post early in the second half, his attempt was absolutely ineffective. 

England is nearly guaranteed to go to the round of 16, and if they defeat Slovenia on Tuesday in Cologne, they will win the group. 

However, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s central midfield experiment failing terribly, no fit left-back in the squad, and a debate over all of England’s front three, this is shaping up to be a perplexing season. 

Serbia’s draw with Slovenia means that an England victory would have secured top spot in the group with one game to spare, pitting Southgate’s side against a third-placed team in the round of 16. 

Southgate selected the same team as in Sunday’s opening against Serbia, but England got off to a rough start, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being the primary culprit. 

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This midfield attempt was not intended to involve playing Hollywood passes to Danish players. 

When England threatened, the spotlight was on Kyle Walker. First, the right-back squared the ball to Manchester City colleague Phil Foden, who did well to create space before hitting high and wide.

The breakthrough came at the 18-minute mark, generating a personal nightmare for Danish wing-back Victor Kristiansen. 

While Walker blue-lit it along the flank, Kristiansen appeared to be towing a caravan, and the City guy robbed him while he sat there. 

Walker’s cutback deflected off Andreas Christensen, allowing Kane to score from six yards.

It was the captain’s 13th goal in major competitions, three more than any other English player. 

However, England was unable to capitalise owing to shoddy passing and defensive panic. 

Jordan Pickford had an odd five minutes, allowing Christian Eriksen to steal the ball from him in the six-yard box, but Alexander-Arnold intercepted before Rasmus Hojlund could score.

Soon, the England custodian was flailing at a cross, and after an Alexander-Arnold error, Marc Guehi’s attempted clearance was deflected into the roof of the net. 

Denmark’s passing was much more assured, and their equaliser was well earned. 

From a Kieran Trippier throw-in deep in England’s half, Kane made a terrible ball that Kristiansen stole, setting up Hjulmand for a 30-yard shot off the post. 

Pickford’s shot wasn’t perfect, but from that distance, he’ll feel he should have saved it.

England became increasingly upset when Danish fans began performing a Viking thunderclap, evoking painful memories of Iceland. 

At the Azteca Stadium, Foden resembled Diego Maradona, but after a fantastic dribble, he failed to pass to Kane, who was visibly furious.  

It was a disappointing 45 minutes, similar to England’s second half against Serbia. 

The second quarter began on a more upbeat note, with Alexander-Arnold delivering his best moment just as Southgate was about to replace him. 

The Liverpool player’s dipping long-range pass eluded Saka, who couldn’t control the ball and headed into the side net. 

Conor Gallagher replaced Alexander-Arnold in the 54th minute, thereby terminating the experiment. 

Soon after, Saka fed Foden, who struck the post from outside. 

However, England began to lose control of the game when Declan Rice made a mistake, giving Eriksen a chance to score, but the Manchester United player shot wide.