England draw blank in dull Denmark draw

Southgate’s side show lack of creativity in another forgettable display

England ended the most challenging international camp of Gareth Southgate’s reign with another forgettable display as their trip to Denmark finished goalless.

As if the coronavirus measures, fitness concerns and Harry Maguire’s withdrawal were not enough for the Three Lions boss to contend with, Southgate sent Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden home on the eve of the Copenhagen clash after breaching the squad’s bio bubble.

Southgate certainly has plenty to mull over after their first international break in 10 months, with England failing to score from open play in either of their matches as last night’s encounter in Denmark ended in a 0-0 draw.

ThreedaysonfromRaheemSterling’s penalty sealing an unconvincing win in Iceland, the Three Lions again frustrated with the attackers isolated and midfield lacking creativity in front of a three-man backline featuring debutant Conor Coady.

Kalvin Phillips was the other new boy in the starting line-up against Denmark, who looked the bigger first-half threat and went closest through a Kasper Dolberg strike that forced Jordan Pickford into action.

The match continued in a similar vein until Southgate brought on Mason Mount and debutant Jack Grealish, but there was not enough time – or perhaps energy left in their team-mates’ legs – to eke out victory against Kasper Hjulmand’s Danes.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles became England’s fourth debutant of the evening – and sixth across these two matches – before Harry Kane saw a stoppage-time winner denied by Mathias Jorgensen’s goal-line clearance.

Belgium swept Iceland aside in the other game in England’s group.

The visitors took a shock early lead but two goals from Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi helped Roberto Martinez’s side to a comfortable 5-1 win.

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first European player to reach 100 international goals with a brace as Portugal won 2-0 in Sweden, who finished with 10 men.

Veteran Sweden midfielder Gustav Svensson was sent off just before halftime for collecting a second yellow card.

Another Chelsea striker, Olivier Giroud, took his international tally to 40 as France beat Croatia 4-2 in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final.

Giroud, 33, marked his 99th cap with a penalty after coming off the bench to move one goal behind France legend Michel Platini. Arsenal great Thierry Henry holds the national record with 51.

The win kept France level on points with Portugal at the top of Group 3.

Picture: Shutterstock. England’s Harry Kane goes around Denmark keeper Kasper Schmeichel but his injury-time shot was cleared off the line by Mathias Jorgensen.