Harry Maguire‘s wretched season hit a brand new low because the England defender was despatched off earlier than Christian Eriksen’s contentious penalty gave Denmark a 1-Zero win within the Nations League on Wednesday. Eriksen’s purpose got here simply minutes after Maguire’s dismissal for 2 useless first half bookings and condemned Gareth Southgate’s facet to their first defeat in 12 months. Maguire was the third England participant to be despatched off at Wembley after Paul Scholes in 1999 and Steven Gerrard in 2012. And including to Southgate’s mounting self-discipline issues, Reece James was proven a crimson card after confronting the referee following the ultimate whistle.
It was the most recent blow in a troubled begin to the marketing campaign for Maguire, who has been in woeful type for Manchester United since his involvement in a brawl on the Greek island of Mykonos in August.
Maguire was given a suspended sentence of 21 months and 10 days in jail after being discovered responsible of repeated bodily hurt, tried bribery, violence towards public workers and insult.
The conviction was nullified after he appealed, however the 27-year-old had solely returned to the England squad for the present internationals after being dropped for his or her earlier video games following the incident.
Maguire won’t be the one one who loses his place in Southgate’s group after this lacklustre efficiency.
England got here from behind at hand prime ranked Belgium their first defeat since 2018 on Sunday, constructing on final week’s pleasant win towards Wales.
However Southgate had urged his group to point out they will preserve the consistency required of elite groups and this was an underwhelming response.
England at the moment are third in Nations League Group A2, behind each Belgium and Denmark.
Southgate was accused of being two conservative along with his techniques after England had been held to a dreary Zero-Zero draw by Denmark in Copenhagen final month.
As soon as once more, Southgate picked two holding midfielders and three centre-backs and overlooked Jack Grealish regardless of requires the in-form Aston Villa winger to begin.
Maguire’s disastrous night supplied a ready-made excuse for England’s limp efficiency, however the cautious formation performed a job of their first loss because the Czech Republic beat them in October 2019.
Foreshadowing his impending dismissal, Maguire was lucky to flee with solely a reserving for a nasty foul on Yussuf Poulsen within the opening moments.
Eriksen practically arrange an early purpose for Denmark when his near-post nook was poked simply huge by Kasper Dolberg.
Maguire appeared to pressure a hamstring when he slipped awkwardly whereas making a problem and though he performed on his match got here to a untimely conclusion within the 32nd minute.
Sliding right into a useless problem on Dolberg, Maguire obtained a contact on the ball however his deal with despatched the Dane flying and referee Jesus Gil instantly confirmed him a second yellow card.
England suffered one other blow two minutes later when Kyle Walker made a hash of coping with a ball into the penalty space.
Distracted by keeper Jordan Pickford speeding off his line in a misguided try to assist, Walker tugged at Thomas Delaney simply sufficient to steer Gil to award a tender penalty that Eriksen transformed with ease.
It was the proper means for Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen to have a good time his 100th cap for Denmark.
England captain Harry Kane began after coming off the bench towards Belgium regardless of coping with what Southgate described as “muscle fatigue”.
Kane’s inclusion risked angering Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho and there was a particular lack of sharpness concerning the striker.
Mason Mount had England’s finest probability to equalise when his header was brilliantly pushed away by Kasper Schmeichel.
Promoted
James, making his first England begin, drew a fantastic save from Schmeichel with a second half free-kick.
However the Chelsea right-back tarnished his vigorous efficiency when he was despatched off in a tawdry coda to a irritating night.
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