Once again, a goal cowed England rather than inspire them as they found themselves overrun and horribly prone to errors.

Rattled, the Three Lions reshaped as terrified cubs and struggled with a limp midfield, barely looking like a functioning team.

They lacked energy and guile in the 1-1 draw, a clear indication that Southgate is grappling to get the most out of England’s best stars at Euro 2024.

Washed up midfield

England’s midfield problem has been a long-term issue and in the clash with the Danes, they were utterly swamped, constantly inviting pressure.

The failure at centre ground came on the back of their disappointing display against Serbia, yet Southgate chose to compound it.

He persisted with the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment despite its obvious malfunction. He kept him on at the start of the second half, only to take him off minutes later.

Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice had no harmony in this formation. They were far too deep when Denmark had the ball, too concerned with what was behind them.

Rice who equally underwhelmed on Thursday night, had to babysit Alexander-Arnold, who was unusually careless in possession and vulnerable in defensive positions.

It was that lack of intensity in pressing which gave Morten Hjulmand the space and time to pick his spot and arrow a thunderous 25-yard equaliser after 34 minutes past Jordan Pickford and in off the post.

Now that the Trent project has failed, Southgate has options but will he consider starting Connor Gallagher against Slovenia or dropping Jude Bellingham deep? Time to trust Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton?

What’s with England’s wobbling midfield? Why is a side packed with talent, who play for clubs that press with abandon, sitting back?

Apart from Southgate’s poor tactics, they have not found a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips.

Phillips had played a key role in England’s 2021 run to the Euros final, but was not selected for Germany following a disappointing loan spell with West Ham after he had battled to feature at Manchester City.

Southgate’s questionable reshuffle

England’s dreadful display was placed in context when Southgate made four substitutions with more than 20 minutes left.

This came from a manager who hardly makes hasty or rash changes.

But in an unusually bold move at such an uncharacteristically early stage, he hauled off the entire front three of Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and goalscorer Harry Kane.

Kane was substituted after 69 minutes with England seeking a winner while Foden had actually been the most threatening player.

When Alexander-Arnold trooped away after only 53 minutes, it signalled the end of the experiment of England using Liverpool’s right-back in midfield.

Southgate himself appeared to accept that for all his natural attacking gifts, Alexander-Arnold is nowhere near a natural fit for the role of an international midfield player.

Jaded Jude

Bellingham, England’s talisman and match-winner against Serbia, could not rescue them this time.

Even he looked jaded and was unable to exert any influence as the team plodded worriedly.

There are suggestions that Bellingham would be better playing at No 8, running from deep, as Foden is out of position and not playing his best.

Kane’s just like Ronaldo

England looked sharper when Ollie Watkins replaced the captain Kane, who cut a peripheral figure for long spells.

Kane’s typically opportunistic finish and lonely presence upfront drew comparisons with another international talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Even Kane was susceptible to dropping deep despite being England’s sole No 9.

The striker was in line with England’s penalty area when he gave the ball away in the build-up to Denmark’s equaliser.

He needs to do better.

His scoring record, like Ronaldo, is unmatched. His 18th minute goal against Denmark made him the first man to score at four successive major tournaments for the Three Lions.

Sadly, his goal was the signal for England to shrink into their shell to allow Danish domination.

What now for England?

It’s not a game-over scenario and while reaching the knockout stages is within touching distance, optimism is evaporating.

England now need to avoid defeat against Slovenia to be assured of a place in the last 16.

A win in their final game will mean they go through as group winners. But if they draw and Denmark win, they would be in second place.

That would see them face Germany in their first knockout game. If they lose to Slovenia and Denmark win, England would finish in third place, though four points should be enough to send them through.

The last time England drew their second group game at the Euros, they went on to reach the final.

But to ensure a repeat, Southgate has many problems to deal with to steer a bunch of multi-millionaires who are nowhere near the standard required to make a serious impact at the European Championship.