THIS is an England squad that is struggling to find its identity.
With too many square pegs in round holes and too many big names failing to deliver, England appeared a million miles away from being prospective European winners.
Gareth Southgate hooked England’s entire forward three midway through the second half of their Group C tie, leaving many more questions than answers for the rest of the season.
Harry Kane had put England ahead but, like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, was replaced with the game still on the line.
Morten Hjulmand’s long-range equaliser in the first half secured Denmark a point, which was the least they deserved.
And, when Foden hit the post early in the second half, his effort was totally unimpressive.
England is almost certain to go to the round of 16, and if they overcome Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday, they will lead this group.
However, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s central midfield experiment failing miserably, no fit left-back in the team, and now discussion over all of England’s front three, this is shaping up to be a confused season.
Serbia’s draw with Slovenia meant that an England victory would have clinched top spot in the group with one game to spare, pairing Southgate’s side with a third-placed team in the round of 16.
Southgate chose an unchanged lineup from Sunday’s opening triumph against Serbia, but England got off to a shaky start, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being the main offender.
The breakthrough came on 18 minutes, and it was a personal nightmare for Danish wing-back Victor Kristiansen.
While Walker blue-lighted it along the flank, Kristiansen seemed to be hauling a caravan, and the City guy robbed him as he sat.
Walker’s cut-back glanced off Andreas Christensen, allowing Kane to prod home from six yards.
It was the captain’s 13th goal in big tournaments, more than any other Englishman has scored.
England, on the other hand, failed to capitalise because of sloppy passing and defensive fear.
Jordan Pickford had a disastrous five minutes, allowing Christian Eriksen to steal the ball from him in the six-yard box, but Alexander-Arnold intercepted before Rasmus Hojlund could finish.
The England goalkeeper was soon flapping at a cross, and following an Alexander-Arnold error, Marc Guehi’s attempted clearing was deflected into the roof of the net.
Denmark’s passing was significantly more assured, and they deserved their equaliser.
Kane played a wayward pass from a Kieran Trippier throw-in deep in England’s half, which Kristiansen intercepted and set up Hjulmand for a 30-yard blasted home off the post.
Pickford didn’t hit a perfect shot, but from that distance, he’ll believe he should have saved it.
England were increasingly agitated when the Danish fans began to perform a Viking thunderclap, bringing back painful memories of Iceland.
Foden began to resemble Diego Maradona at the Azteca Stadium, but after an excellent dribble, he failed to play the apparent pass to Kane, who was visibly furious.
It was a pretty dismal 45 minutes, comparable to England’s second half against Serbia.
The second quarter began on a more positive note, with Alexander-Arnold producing his best moment just as Southgate was about to substitute him.
The Liverpool player’s dipping long-range pass unleashed Saka, who could not control it and headed into the side-netting.
The Alexander-Arnold experiment ended when Conor Gallagher replaced him in the 54th minute.
Saka soon fed Foden, who fired a shot against the post from outside the area.
However, it began to drag away from England – a Declan Rice blunder gave Eriksen a chance, but the Manchester United player blasted over.
Then, midway through the second half, Southgate made a radical triple substitution, replacing Kane, Saka, and Foden with Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, and Eberechi Eze.
It wasn’t long before Watkins was challenging Kasper Schmeichel.
First, Bellingham delivered a wonderful ball, but the Danish goalkeeper advanced to deny Watkins with his body.
Schmeichel pushed another Watkins shot around the post, re-energising England.