England’s belief that they are serious World Cup contenders suffered a shattering reality check on Wednesday when Denmark sent them crashing to their worst defeat for 25 years.
Fortunately for coach Sven-Goran Eriksson and his bunch of highly-paid but under-performing players, the shambolic 4-1 defeat in Copenhagen was a friendly international two weeks ahead of their next competitive challenge against Wales in a World Cup qualifier.
On a busy night of international friendlies, France celebrated the return of talismanic Zinedine Zidane from retirement with a 3-0 win against Cote d’Ivoire with the former World Footballer of the Year getting on the scoresheet.
Elsewhere, Italy hammered home their credentials as World Cup favourites with a 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
World champions Brazil came back from a goal down to draw 1-1 in Croatia while Argentina beat Hungary 2-1.
Bitter rivals Holland and Germany fought out a 2-2 draw in Rotterdam where 22 fans were arrested.
But it was in Copenhagen where the real drama was happening.
A furious Eriksson apologised for England’s 4-1 humiliation and insisted his team won’t make the World Cup finals if they repeat the performance.
Eriksson was angry after seeing his team concede three goals in seven second-half minutes in the friendly clash as England conceded four goals for the first time since they lost to Wales in 1980.
”I am very sorry and disappointed and angry about the second half,” said the Swede.
”It was the worst 45 minutes that I have had as England coach. It was a disaster all over the place, nothing went right and I’m very upset.
”I apologise to the fans. It seemed like it was a holiday in the second half and I have told the players that they can forget about the World Cup if they play like that again.”
The sides had been locked at 0-0 at half-time but Eriksson made four changes at the break bringing on Michael Owen, goalkeeper David James as well as Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnsen and the Danes took full advantage.
Charlton striker Dennis Rommedahl, former Newcastle and AC Milan hitman Jon Dahl Tomasson, with his 36th international goal, and substitute Michael Gravgaard set Denmark on their way to victory.
Wayne Rooney grabbed a late consolation for England before substitute Soren Larsen added a fourth for the Danes in injury time.
There were no such problems for 1998 World Cup winners France as they enjoyed a 3-0 win over Cote d’Ivoire in Montpellier.
Zidane, lured out of retirement to help France’s ailing World Cup campaign, added style and substance to Raymond Domenech’s side in the warm-up to next month’s crucial qualifier against the Ireland.
With the 33-year-old’s every step cheered by a sell-out 30 000 crowd the Real Madrid star, wearing the captain’s armband, crowned his comeback with a second half goal which was sandwiched by efforts from William Gallas and Thierry Henry.
The Netherlands were left to rue a string of missed chances as arch rivals Germany came from two goals down to secure a flattering 2-2 draw in Rotterdam.
Chelsea winger Arjen Robben gave the Dutch a 2-0 lead at the break before captain Michael Ballack, with his 29th goal in 59 appearances, and substitute Gerald Asamoah levelled the score.
In Budapest, Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze scored the winner to give ten-man Argentina a 2-1 friendly win against Hungary.
Heinze headed in a corner in the 62nd minute as the South Americans, who have already booked their place in the World Cup finals in Germany next summer, made up for their shortfall in numbers.
Maxi Rodriguez had given them a 19th minute lead before Sandor Thorgelle levelled 10 minutes later. Lionel Messi was then red-carded in the 65th minute.
In Dublin, Italy’s goalkeeper Flavio Roma and referee Paolo Costa put paid to Ireland’s best efforts to salvage their manager Brian Kerr’s 17-game unbeaten home record in a high-tempo friendly.
After a thrilling first half which saw Italian guile register a 2-1 lead over Irish graft, the Monaco stopper pulled off a finger-tip save three minutes from time and the Portuguese referee harshly disallowed a Clinton Morrison goal for handball in injury
time.
Andrea Pirlo put the Italians ahead in the 10th minute with Alberto Gilardino adding the second after half an hour. Andy Reid pulled one back for Ireland.
In Split, Brazil needed an equaliser from Ricardinho three minutes from half-time to grab a 1-1 draw with Croatia. – Sapa-AFP