England welcomes Denmark at Wembley in an attempt to reach the first major competition final since 1966, the year they won the World Cup and Denmark to replicate their fairy tale of 1992 Euros in which against all odds they lift the trophy. England are in their second European Championship semifinal after making it to the same stage at the 2018 World Cup while the Danes are in their third. The winner of the competition will face Italy in the final at this very venue.
Gareth Southgate's men outclassed Ukraine 4-0 in the quarterfinal stage of Euro 2020 and lead England to consecutive semifinals under his reign. He is only two steps back to fulfill his nation's long craving dream of lifting a major silverware. Any proclamation of a potential banana skin was brushed aside when Harry Kane bagged a goal inside five minutes leading to more in the second half. Harry Maguire doubled the lead just a minute after the break from a corner before Luke Shaw's fabulous assists to Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson put the game to bed. Pickford wasn't tasted that much but he saved some efforts in otherwise a walk in the park display.
Denmark got better in their game against the Czech Republic in their quarterfinal encounter winning 2-1. Their emotionally driven football showing love and support for the stricken Christian Eriksen reaching unimaginable heights. Losing the first two group games of the competition than making into the semis unbeaten in the last three is a remarkable story itself. In the game, Thomas Delaney headed in the opener unmarked in the Czech box from a Stryger Larsen corner just five minutes on the clock. Kasper Dolberg continued to score for consecutive games with his third strike of the competition before the break from a delightful cross by Joakim Maehle. Czech responded well in the second half putting Schmeichel into action and getting a goal back but couldn't find ways to send the Dane on the backfoot. The path became clear after the final whistle.
England vs Denmark Match Details :
When: Wednesday, June 7/ Thursday, June 8
Timings: 00:30 (IST)/ 21:00 (CET)
Where: Wembley Stadium, London
Recent Form (Euro 2020)
England: WDWWW
Denmark: LLWWW
Injuries & Suspensions :
The good thing for the nations competing is that they have kept themselves relatively injury-free so far in the competition. For England, Bukayo Saka is available for selection after shaking off a knock and missing the quarterfinal fixture against Ukraine. He can go straight back in the starting eleven instead of Jadon Sancho even though the newly transferred Manchester United player performed decently in the last game for the Three Lions. Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, and Kalvin Philips no longer have suspension scare as they avoided booking in the 4-0 win meaning Jordan Henderson will stay on the bench despite scoring his first international goal in that victory. Southgate has found flexibility both in three-man defense and four at the back but he will stick to the latter presumably. Or he may try the 3-4-3 to guard the Danish wingbacks as he did against Germany to neutralize them.
Denmark have a double injury boost ahead of the semifinal clash but neither Yussuf Poulsen nor Daniel Wass is tipped to start. Usually the name on the starting sheet, both suffered an injury leading Kasper Dolberg and Stryger Larssen to make respective positions of their own. Poulsen and Wass made substitute appearances in the victory against the Czech Republic and will be reduced to the same in the last four.
Captain Simon Kjaer suffered a little niggle against Wales in the last 16 matchups but he has since overcome the issue and set to partner Vestergaard and Christensen in the back three. Most likely, Kasper Hjulmand won't make a change in the winning eleven from the last two games. The news to celebrate for Denmark is Christian Eriksen has returned to normal life after getting discharged from the hospital last month following his cardiac arrest at the beginning of the tournament.
England vs Denmark Predicted Lineups :
England: Jordan Pickford; Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Kelvin Phillips, Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane
Denmark: Kasper Schmeichel; Jannik Vestergaard, Andreas Christensen, Simon Kjaer, Stryger Larsen, Thomas Delaney, Hojbjerg, Joakim Maehle, Milkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg, Martin Braithwaite
England vs Denmark Head to Head :
England faced Denmark 21 times in total and prevailed in 12 games. To that, Denmark only tasted success four times although they are unbeaten in the only meeting they had in the European Championship before resulting in a 0-0 draw in 1992. England have also failed to beat the Danes in their two last meetings in the Nations League. The first one in Copenhagen ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Denmark's stricken captain Christian Eriksen was in the score sheet for the next one in the victory at Wembley.
ENG vs DEN Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Jordan Pickford (Eng)
DEF: Stryger Larsen (Den), Andreas Christensen (Den), Harry Maguire (Eng), Luke Shaw (Eng)
MID: Declan Rice (Eng), Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg (Den), Kalvin Philips (Eng)
FW: Harry Kane (Eng), Kasper Dolberg (Den), Raheem Sterling (Eng)
Jordan Pickford's clean sheet streak is breaking all kinds of records in the Euros from England's perspective. The Everton keeper has proven to be the best in his position so far in this tournament. Harry Maguire's return to the English starting eleven has been immense and he marked his dominance by scoring a goal in his third appearance against Ukraine. His presence is felt massively. Shaw has driven attention from media for Manchester United in the club season and his now doing the same for his nation with his two-game settling assists in the quarterfinal adding to his prestige. He being a current best in his position is now in debates. The duo of Kalvin Philips and Declan Rice controlled the midfield against every opposition England faced in the competition. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg proving his caliber in the attack making himself one of the finest box-to-box players out there. Kane struck twice in the 4-0 routing of Ukraine and scored for consecutive games having not found the back of the net in the previous five. Kasper Dolberg named himself among the greatest Dane scorers in the competition with his winning strike against the Czechs while Raheem Sterling's four-goal contribution makes him the man to rely upon.
Match Prediction: England 2-1 Denmark (AET)
England are desperate to clear their semifinal hoodoo in major competition in only their second last four appearances at the Euros and consecutive appearances in a major competition. It is predicted widely that they will accomplish their mission this time out. Denmark will play with their hearts out and nothing to lose. The attitude that put them here. But it will come as a huge surprise if Gareth Southgate's men pull the brakes at such a crucial stage in the competition. Though, their clean sheet record will be shattered.
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