England's Glen Johnson (L), Wayne Rooney (2nd L), David Beckham (2nd R) and Owen Hargreaves (R) leave the pitch following the international friendly soccer match against Denmark at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, August 17, 2005. Denmark won 4-1. (Reuters)

Denmark inflicted England's biggest defeat for 25 years in a 4-1 friendly romp before a delirious Parken Stadium crowd on Wednesday.

Substitute Dennis Rommedahl began a three-goal blitz in the space of seven minutes with a simple tap-in on the hour mark, following a rash sortie by substitute keeper David James.

Rommedahl then set up the second for captain Jon Dahl Tomasson in the 63rd minute and substitute Michael Gravgaard was credited with the third in a goalmouth melee following a corner.

Wayne Rooney, England's best player who had a goal disallowed and a penalty appeal turned down in the first half, scored with a consolation strike in the 87th minute.

But there was still time for Soren Larsen to complete the humiliation by prodding home Denmark's fourth goal.

"The second half was a disaster for us," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson told SkySports.

"For 30 or 40 minutes we didn't do anything right. If we play football like that we can forget the World Cup."

It was Denmark's first home win over England since the two sides first met in 1948 and only their third victory in 17 meetings.

For England, whose coach and players can expect a roasting from the British media on their return home, it was their worst defeat since going down 4-1 to Wales in Wrexham in May 1980.

Both sides were playing before World Cup qualifying resumes next month. 

(Agencies)