ENGLAND head into their second major semi-final in the space of three years on Wednesday with centre-half Harry Maguire insisting the side have improved markedly since they crashed out of the last World Cup at the hands of Croatia.

Gareth Southgate’s team made the last four in Russia, only to be outplayed by a Luka Modric-inspired Croatian side that condemned them to a 2-1 extra-time defeat.

Denmark will provide the opposition on Wednesday, and while Maguire will be taking nothing for granted after the Danes beat England at Wembley in the Nations League in October, the centre-half is delighted with his side’s progress in the last few years.

There have been new additions to the squad since Russia, with the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish emerging onto the international scene, but Maguire feels England’s more experienced core has also improved since 2018.

“I think we’re in a lot better place now than we were when we played the semi-final in 2018,” said the centre-half, who headed home England’s second goal in Saturday’s quarter-final win over Ukraine. “I think we’ll have learned from the experience of that, and also the experience of the games in between, for example the Nations League.

“We’ve had a lot of big games in that period to help improve us. We’ve had a lot of time spent together, both on the training pitch and in friendlies and qualifiers. Every game we play together, we feel like we’re going to improve. I think you’ve seen in this tournament that from the first game to the Ukraine game, there’s been a lot of difference in terms of the principles that we’re demanding from each other. We’re in a better place now, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”

Maguire is one of six members of the starting side from 2018 that are also likely to start Wednesday’s game – Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane were also in the side in Moscow – with Jordan Henderson and Kieran Trippier also featuring in the squad.

The sense of continuity has been important, along with the value of the experience that has been gained since Southgate was appointed as England manager in 2016.

“In a team, you need balance and a great mixture,” said Maguire. “I feel like at the moment, the young exceptional talents we’ve got in this country are great to see, and they’re all going to have wonderful careers.

“But it’s also important you keep a spine, with that experience, and have leaders in the group. At the moment, the balance seems to be good. We’re all going in the same direction and all want the same thing, and that’s to win football matches and do our best to win the tournament.”

Maguire does not have fond memories of England’s last meeting with Denmark as he was sent off as England lost in the Nations League last autumn.

The red card, which was the result of a rash tackle that followed some poor control, came amid a difficult period for the defender. A month or so earlier, he had been arrested after a brawl outside a bar on the Greek island of Mykonos, but while he was found guilty of aggravated assault, resisting arrest and attempted bribery – charges he has always denied – he was allowed to walk free.

He admits he had to come through a tough spell, but with Southgate’s support remaining rock solid, the 28-year-old is proud of the way he turned his fortunes back around.

“I had great support around me,” he said. “I’ve got a great family and great friends, and a great club that have helped me along the way as well. It was a challenging time, but I think every international player has been through ups and downs in their career, that’s part and parcel of being a footballer.

“It was a challenging time, but I’m proud of the way I’ve come through it and now I’m in a positive place. Everything’s good at the moment, and long may it continue.”