Denmark's Euro 2024 Challenge: Can They Defeat England to Top Group C?

In a deep dive into Denmark, England’s opponents in the group stage alongside Slovenia and Serbia at the Euros, questions arise about Denmark’s quality and threat level.

Denmark, having qualified top of Group H in the European qualification campaign, faced teams like Finland, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, and San Marino, with Slovenia being another significant rival. Despite not winning all their matches and finishing with the same points as Slovenia, Denmark’s direct encounters—a draw in Slovenia and a home victory—secured them the group’s top spot. Their qualification journey included a 3-2 away loss to Kazakhstan and a 2-1 loss to Northern Ireland, raising concerns about their consistency.

Notable Danish players such as goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, a Premier League winner with Leicester City and son of famed Peter Schmeichel, and midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg of Tottenham Hotspur are key figures. Young talent Rasmus Højland has been prolific, scoring seven goals during the qualification campaign, doubling any team member’s tally. Christian Eriksen, despite his possibly waning influence, remains an integral part of the Danish setup, while Mikkel Damsgaard, remembered for an impressive free-kick against England at Wembley, currently struggles for game time at Brentford.

Comparing the current Danish squad to the one that faced England in the semi-final three years prior suggests England has progressed more significantly. Interestingly, both teams have retained their managers, Gareth Southgate for England and Kasper Hjulmand for Denmark, potentially leading their last tournament with their respective teams. England’s historical record against Denmark is favorable, with 13 wins out of 22 matches. However, a more recent defeat in the Nations League at a silent Wembley, where Eriksen scored the only goal, reflects a challenging dynamic.

The upcoming match between England and Denmark at the Euros hinges on the results of the opening games for both teams and subsequent tactical approaches. England, ranked third in the FIFA world rankings and Denmark at 21st, indicates an expectation for England to prevail, yet Denmark’s capability to threaten in spurts cannot be ignored. Fans and analysts await the unfolding of these narratives as the Euros approach.