England v Denmark: Mentality vital if England are to stay the course at Euro 2024

The Three Lions have some of the most exciting players in continental football going forward, epitomised by Jude Bellingham’s match-winning performance in the opening game of the European Championship against Serbia on Sunday.

Although the usually prolific Harry Kane was quiet, he did hit the post with a second-half header, and Phil Foden failed to produce the kind of form that earned him the Premier League’s footballer of the year award with Manchester City, optimism remains high as England prepare for their second Group C game against Denmark in Frankfurt this afternoon.

Southgate said: “I think mindset is everything. Yes you’ve got to have quality but in the end mentality, the ability to deliver in the big games, which is what we’ve been able to do in the last three or four years in particular.

"I think we’re better for those experiences, but also we’ve got some players with us who haven’t had those experiences so we’re exposing them to that at the same time.

"With the teams that win things, I think the difference is mentality.”

Former Sheffield United defender Kyle Walker also says England will not be under-estimating Denmark, a team they beat in the semi-final of the delayed 2020 European Championship at Wembley.

"We don’t under-estimate any opponent, you have to give them the level of respect they deserve,” said the Manchester City defender.

"They’ve got a number of players in the Premier League, I played a number of years with Christian Eriksen at Tottenham and in some moments he can produce real magic on a drop of hat.

"We go into the game fully focused and wanting the three points as we did on Sunday night.

"Like the boss just said, if we can play just that little bit better in the second half when those nerves have gone a little bit.”

England look set to be without Luke Shaw who has lost his battle to be fit for today’s game.

The Manchester United full-back has not played since mid-February and was the only player absent from the Wednesday morning training session ahead of the showdown with Denmark.

Shaw, who has been out with a hamstring injury since mid-February, instead continued an ”individualised training programme elsewhere”, according to the Football Association.

The 28-year-old former Southampton left-back was on the bench against Serbia and Southgate has previously said he could be involved against Denmark.

Kasper Schmeichel says Denmark are facing a better England side than the one that beat them in the Euros semi-finals three years ago.

“I think England were a world-class side when we met them,” said the former Leeds United and Leicester City goalkeeper.

"I think they’re probably a better side now than ever. You look at them – all over the pitch they have world-class talent and we’re going to have to be on top of our game.”