Eberechi Eze responded to criticism of England's 1-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024, emphasizing that there are no easy matches in tournament football. The Three Lions took the lead in the 18th minute with a composed finish from Harry Kane, but Morten Hjulmand's powerful strike secured a point for the Danes.
England are still top of their group with a superior record to their Euro 2020 campaign, where they were a penalty shootout away from their first major tournament triumph since 1966.
That fact was not lost on Eze, who defended England's record in Germany.
"It is always tough when you are playing international football, it is tough," he said.
"Everybody is good, everybody is at a certain level, so you are not going to turn up and just win every single game.
"In the team, we know what we are capable of, we know that we have got potential.
We have got to be patient, we know that results will come.
"We understand we want to get three points, we know what we are capable of.
"We are very calm, we are not stressing or panicking.
"We have got four points on the board, that is important at this stage.
"I'm sure it was the same at the last Euros, nobody remembers that.
"But the main thing is to get as many points as we can, keep pushing and keep improving and we will be there."
England were not at their best, but credit must go to a Denmark side that boasts several Premier League stars and top talent from Europe's best leagues.
No third-placed side has failed to qualify for the knockout stages with four points since the format was revised at Euro 2016.
That did not stop the draw from sparking widespread criticism of Southgate and England online.
